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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Elias Visontay

Fans react after Socceroos beat Denmark – as it happened

Socceroos World Cup Denmark Elias Visontay Graham Arnold Australia Poland

Summary

What a morning, what a day. How good is Harry Souttar?

With that, we will wrap up our live coverage of reaction to the Socceroos historic triumph over Denmark and progression to the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Here’s a summary of everything that has happened since the final whistle:

  • Argentina defeated Poland to secure their place as group C winners, setting up a showdown with the Socceroos. The match will happen Sunday morning Australia time.

  • Argentina supremo Lionel Messi has said “Australia is going to be very difficult”, though the Socceroos will enjoy underdog status for the match.

  • Live viewing sites will be set up in Sydney and Adelaide for Sunday morning’s match, the respective premiers have announced, bowing to pressure over questions as to why Federation Square appeared to be the only live site showing Socceroos World Cup matches in an Australian capital city.

  • Socceroos fans celebrated on the streets of Melbourne and Sydney in the early hours of Thursday morning, as the team surprised the world to book Australia’s place in the knockout stages of the World Cup for just the second time in the tournament’s history.

I’ll leave you with Guardian Australia’s deputy sports editor' Emma Kemp’s latest despatch from Doha here

Perrottet announces live site for Argentina match

The New South Wales premier, Dominic Perrottet, has promised to set up an “awesome” live viewing site for the next Socceroos World Cup game.

He flagged the Sydney Opera House as a probable venue but said he would confirm later in the week.

Speaking at a press conference in North Sydney, he said:

We’re going to have a great live site. It’s going to be the best in the country because this is the best city in the world, so it’s going to be awesome.

He did not know why a live site was not in place for the first games.

Perrottet did not stay up to watch the Australian victory on Thursday morning but said he would make sure to watch the next game.

Socceroos fans in London:

Journalist Daniel Garb from Doha:

Good news for Socceroos fans in Adelaide:

Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced a live site at Adelaide Oval will screen the round of 16 match against Argentina.

All eyes on you, Dominic Perrottet, Annastacia Palaszczuk et al.

‘Now these guys are heroes’: Socceroos bound into last-16 date with Argentina

Mathew Leckie’s goal sank Denmark in a 1-0 win as Australia finished second in their group – now Lionel Messi’s side await in this Qatar odyssey

Read Emma Kemp’s latest despatch from Doha:

Messi: "Australia is going to be very difficult"

Argentina supremo Lionel Messi is talking up the Socceroos’ chances ahead of their knockout round clash.

Is it that much of a stretch to call Australia and Argentina traditional rivals? Those with memories of the glory days of Oceania will remember the Socceroos’ World Cup qualification playoff losses to Argentina.

For some of Argentina’s players, the fixture is steeped in family history. Let us not forget that Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister will be following in his father Carlos’ footsteps if he lines up against the Socceroos on Sunday morning Australia time.

The elder Mac Allister was part of the Argentina team that drew 1-1 with Australia in the first leg of a 1993 World Cup qualification play off that famously saw Diego Maradona play at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Let’s hope Alexis is not out for revenge!

Updated

Union chief Sally McManus channeling Bob Hawke this morning:

Socceroo Jackson Irvine has praised the team chemistry as a factor in their historic progression to the World Cup knockout stages where Australia will face Argentina.

Irvine, speaking to ABC news from Doha, said he and fellow teammates found their achievement “a bit overwhelming”.

He said:

“Obviously emotions were running super high straight after the game and trying to kind of grasp what we have just kind of achieved. But immediately brought back down to earth by the prospect of a last 16 game in a couple of days.

For us as a group here, the dynamic that we have built, the environment we have, that we have curated over the last few years, we got such strong belief in each other, such a great mentality, and even after, you know, the first game, after what was a tough night, we have just bounced back and come back stronger and the individual displays that we have seen have been just so immense physically and mentally the focus in big moments

Obviously I can’t speak high enough of every person involved in this camp from staff through all the players, everyone has been top notch.”

Calls for live sites for Argentina match

There are growing calls for live sites to be set up in Sydney and other capital cities to screen the Socceroos’ upcoming knockout match against Argentina, as football fans across the country react, likely with jealousy, to the scenes captured at Melbourne’s Federation Square this morning.

A petition is already circulating for a live site in Sydney.

Updated

“Unbelievable”: Socceroos fans outside Al Janoub Stadium in Doha following the 1-0 victory over Denmark.

We’ve included scenes of fans celebrating in Melbourne and Sydney in an earlier post in this blog, though fans were up and at it across the country:

This, from Adelaide this morning:

For those just tuning in:

Most newspapers would have had to have gone to print well before the Socceroos’ victory, but over in the West the news has made the front page of the late edition of the West Australian. Trademark pun included.

Socceroos to play Argentina in knockout stages

Argentina have defeated Poland 2-0, securing their place at the top of group C and setting up a showdown with Graham Arnold’s Socceroos.

The round of 16 knockout match will happen early on Sunday in Australia (6am AEDT).

While the Socceroos will be underdogs against Argentina, the side that includes Lionel Messi has dropped points already this campaign, losing to Saudi Arabia in their opening match.

Pictures of fans celebrating this morning are still filtering through, and you really could look at this for days.

Socceroos fans celebrate Mathew Leckie’s goal at Federation Square in Melbourne, Thursday.
Socceroos fans celebrate Mathew Leckie’s goal at Federation Square in Melbourne, Thursday. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP
Fans in Melbourne react as they watch Australia play Denmark at Federation Square in Melbourne.
Fans in Melbourne react as they watch Australia play Denmark at Federation Square in Melbourne. Photograph: Con Chronis/EPA
Fans in Melbourne react as they watch Australia play Denmark at Federation Square in Melbourne.
Fans in Melbourne react as they watch Australia play Denmark at Federation Square in Melbourne. Photograph: Con Chronis/EPA

For those playing along at home, the Socceroos set a handful of records in their victory over Denmark this morning:

This World Cup is the first time Australia has ever won two matches at any edition of the tournament.

Not only that, it is the first time the Socceroos have scored a goal in three games at a World Cup finals. All those goals have come from open play.

It’s also the first time Australia has kept two clean sheets at a world cup tournament. (Our clean sheet in the Tunisia match was in fact Australia’s first clean sheet at a World Cup since we drew 0-0 with Chile in 1974).

It’s looking very much like the Socceroos will be playing Argentina in their round of 16 knockout stage match on Sunday morning Australia time.

Argentina has just gone up 2-0 against Poland, and they’re now very much favourites to win group C.

“I truly believe that the Socceroos are the team that unite the country”, said Graham Arnold, vindicated. “If the cricket team get to the final of the World Cup you don’t get scenes like tonight. You don’t see the squares like they are tonight, and not with the rugby union or rugby league either. I’m just so proud and happy. This is what World Cups are for.”

Read more from Paul MacInnes at Al Janoub Stadium:

Mexico are now 2-0 up in that match

Mexico have just taken the lead against Saudi Arabia in group C’s other match.

In terms of what this means for the Socceroos, we’re still on track to play Argentina in our next match.

Saudi Arabia are still a chance to top the group and face Australia, however with Argentina’s goal and now Mexico going ahead, that is looking far less likely.

You can follow the Guardian’s live blog of the Saudi Arabia-Mexico match here:

Argentina take lead, on track to play Australia

Alexis Mac Allister has just put Argentina up 1-0 in their match against Poland, scoring 68 seconds into the second half.

That goal takes Argentina to top spot in the live standings of group C, with Saudi Arabia and Mexico still at 0-0.

If those results stand, Argentina will win their group, and play the Socceroos on Sunday morning Australia time.

You can follow that match on the Guardian’s live blog here:

The Socceroos’ hero in Doha, goalscorer Mathew Leckie, spoke after the match:

I’m proud, exhausted, everything really. It’s hard to describe the emotions right now. We always knew we could do it as a group. We had our doubters but our spirit, our belief, our work ethic and how close we are as a group shows on the pitch. The last 15, 20 minutes we battled until the end. It didn’t matter what they threw at us, we weren’t conceding. We’ll make the most of it tonight, but then it’s all about recovery.”

After match, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has said his team will avoid celebrating and social media as they prepare for their upcoming round of 16 match.

Arnold said:

I’m just so proud of the effort by the boys. A short turnaround, but their effort was incredible. A lot of belief. A lot of hard work. These boys came in with a great mindset. We’ve been working on this for four-and-a-half years, and I could see in their eyes they were ready tonight.

No celebrations tonight. That’s why we won after a great win against Tunisia. No celebrations, no emotion, sleep, no social media.”

Australia’s historic World Cup win over Denmark sparked wild celebrations across the country in the early hours of the morning as the team progressed to the knockout stages of the finals for only the second time.

Read more:

Calls for public holiday

Admittedly these calls are coming from the football establishment, but still, surely something for Anthony Albanese to consider.

At half time in the group C games, it’s Poland 0-0 Argentina and Saudi Arabia 0-0 Mexico.

If these results hold, Poland will top the group, and play the Socceroos on Sunday morning Australia time.

More pictures of Australians celebrating this morning’s win.

Australian fans celebrate in Melbourne after Australia’s victory over Denmark (Photo by William West/AFP via Getty Images)
Australian fans celebrate in Melbourne after Australia’s victory over Denmark (Photo by William West/AFP via Getty Images) Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images
Australian fans celebrate in Melbourne after Australia’s victory over Denmark (Photo by William West/AFP via Getty Images)
Australian fans celebrate in Melbourne after Australia’s victory over Denmark (Photo by William West/AFP via Getty Images) Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

Over in the Poland v Argentina match, Lionel Messi has just had a penalty sensationally saved by Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny.

At the 41st minute mark, it’s still Poland 0-0 Argentina. If that result holds and there is no change in the Saudi Arabia v Mexico match, which is also at 0-0, then Poland will win their group and face the Socceroos this weekend.

You can follow the Guardian’s Poland v Argentina live blog here:

Updated

Summary

If you haven’t seen it yet, here is Mathew Leckie’s goal that sent the Socceroos through to the knockout stages.

If you’ve already seen it, you’ll probably want to see it again. And again.

Updated

Prime minister congratulates win

Anthony Albanese was among those watching the Socceroos at an ungodly hour on Thursday morning.

The prime minister was quiet during the match, but tweeted to congratulate the team on their “magnificent” win.

I’m reliably informed that Albo did in fact wake for the match and that it wasn’t a member of his staff tweeting.

Updated

Scenes of SBS’ Eli Mengem covering fans in Federation Square celebrating Mathew Leckie’s goal this morning.

Updated

While the Socceroos have booked their spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup, three other nations are currently battling it out in matches that will determine Australia’s opponent.

The Socceroos will play the winner of group C on Sunday morning Australian time (6am AEDT), with Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Poland all still in contention to win their group.

At the 26-minute mark of group C’s final matches, which are being played simultaneously, its Poland 0-0 Argentina and Saudi Arabia 0–0 Mexico.

If those results stand, Poland will top their group, and play the Socceroos. Follow both games here:

Updated

Celebrations in Melbourne, Sydney

Diehard football fans may be used to it, but on Thursday, a good chunk of the country woke up (or stayed awake through) the dead of the night to watch the Socceroos play Denmark.

In Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, the match kicked off at 2am local time.

This didn’t stop tens of thousands of dedicated Australians leaving the comfort of their homes to watch the match with fellow supporters.

In Melbourne, scenes of flares being let off at Federation Square have gone viral this morning.

Meanwhile in Sydney, which didn’t have an equivalent public live site, sports bars and pubs in the city were packed to capacity and turning fans away. After the final whistle, they spilled out into the quiet dark of George Street.

Updated

How good are the Socceroos?

For those who were able to sleep through the night and have just woken up, Australia have surprised the world and reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for just the second time in their history.

Following a tough yet spirited 1-0 win over an attacking Denmark side, Graham Arnold’s team finished second in group D to book their place in the round of 16.

Australia will next play either Argentina, Saudi Arabia or Poland on Sunday morning Australian time. We’ll find out our opponent in just under two hours as group C’s final matches are played out.

As the nation awakes to a historic morning, we’ll be bringing you all the reaction here.

For a full match report, here is Emma Kemp, Guardian Australia’s woman in Doha:

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