Australia 1 Denmark 0 LIVE RESULT: Leckie goal hands Socceroos last-16 place at World Cup 2022 as Denmark OUT
AUSTRALIA have secured their place in the last-16 of the 2022 World Cup with victory over Denmark.
It was Matthew Leckie who opened the scoring just moments after Tunisia went 1-0 up against France.
Denmark thought they were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute after the referee pointed to the spot, however the flag went straight up and this was denied for offside.
Australia held on to secure their qualification for the knockout stage, where they will face the winners of Group C.
- Kick-off: 3pm GMT
- TV channel: BBC TWO
- Live stream:
- Group D: LIVE TABLE
- Australia XI: Ryan; Degenek, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Irvine, Mooy; Leckie, McGree, Goodwin; Duke
- Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Kristensen, Andersen, Christensen, Maehle; Hojbjerg, Jensen; Olsen, Eriksen, Lindstrom; Braithwaite
- Preview: How Australia and Denmark can qualify for the last-16
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Victory will lift a nation
The win against Tunisia in their last game was Australia’s third-ever World Cup win, and their first since 2010 when they beat Serbia in South Africa.
Despite that win in 2010, they failed to progress from the group stage despite having four points.
Their form in previous World Cups against European sides is a cause for concern though, having lost 8 of their 11 meetings with sides from the continent.
Australia better than their results
Despite the scoreline in their opener, they took the lead against France and were competitive throughout but just lacked the quality to match Les Bleus.
In more evenly matched game, they thoroughly deserved their victory over Tunisia.
Now they hold their fate in their own hands, favourites to progress from Group D.
Welcome to Australia vs Denmark
Australia and Denmark round off their World Cup group stage campaigns when they meet at the Al Janoub Stadium in what could be a ‘winner takes all’ showdown this afternoon.
The Socceroos have the upper hand going into this fixture, following their win over Tunisia on Saturday, moving them into second on three points.
Nathaniel Atkinson missed Australia’s win over Tunisia after picking up a knock to his ankle against France in the group opener.
Brescia’s Fran Karacic came in to replace him at right back, the only change for that game, and given that they won it is unlikely that manager Graham Arnold will change anything.
Martin Boyle will be a big miss though, as the Hibernian forward suffered an ACL injury on the eve of the tournament and will miss the rest of the season.
Thomas Delaney will miss the rest of the tournament for Denmark after suffering a knee injury in the first half against Tunisia on matchday one.
This saw Mikkel Damsgaard come into the side as Hjulmand changed shape from 3-5-2 to 3-4-3, taking a man out of midfield and using the Brentford man out wide.
Skov Olsen and Simon Kjaer were rested against France but are expected to return into the starting XI.