Matthew Leckie’s second-half winner knocked Denmark out of the group stage as Australia progressed to the round of 16 at the World Cup for only the second time in their history.
The Socceroos began their Group D decider a draw would have been enough but Tunisia surprisingly beat France, who had already qualified, Graham Arnold’s essential win, the Danes did.
Denmark wasted a couple of good chances to take the lead in the first half after Milos Degenek’s excellent block from Jesper Lindström and Matt Ryan’s save from Matthias Jensen’s effort.
Instead, it was Australia, whose only appearance in the last 16 came in 2006, who broke the deadlock on the hour, springing Lekki on the counter-attack.
The Melbourne City forward threaded a left-footed shot into the right corner after turning in and out of Denmark defender Joachim Mahele.
Denmark, who have reached the knockout stages in four of their five previous World Cup finals, tried to fight back but were dogged by a lack of the cutting edge that had characterized their previous two group games as Australia celebrated wildly at the final whistle.
Australia vs Denmark Score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Australia | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Denmark | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Goals:
AUS – Matthew Leckie -60th minute
Confirmed lineups:
Australia (4-1-4-1, right to left): 1. Ryan (GK) – 2 Degenek, 19. Soutar, 4. Rawls, 16. Behich – 13. Muy – 22. Irvine, 14. McGree, 7 Leckie, 23. Goodwin (Bucks, 46) – 15. Duke
Denmark (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Schmeichel (GK) – 2. Anderson, 6. A. Christensen, 5. Mahele – 13. Christensen (Bah, 46), 23. Hodgeburg, 7. Jensen, 10. Eriksson – 9. Braithwaite, 11. Skov Olsen, 25. Lindstrom
Australia vs Denmark Live Updates, 2022 World Cup Highlights
Full time: Australia 1-0 Denmark
That’s it! They have done it! Australia are through to the last 16!
The given video is available in UK
Historic scenes 🤩
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 30, 2022
The moment Australia went through to the last 16 of a World Cup for the second time ever.#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup
90th minute + 5: Another Denmark corner, curled in at the back post. Andreas Cornelius has a free header, but it’s a header on the bar! There are approx…
90th min+4: It’s all Denmark. the corner Kasper Schmeichel comes for it, but Mat Ryan claims it and falls to the ground in relief. Two more minutes…
90th minute+2: A chance for Denmark, but Christian Eriksen – of all people – can’t control the cross six yards out, and it goes begging.
90th minute: There will be six minutes of added time. Can Australia survive?
88th minute: Azdin Hrustic is taking a well-deserved rest as Matthew Leckie, the hero of the hour for Australia.
87th minute: Harry Soutar to the rescue again! The Stoke City defender has had a fantastic tournament and forms another decisive sliding block as Denmark threaten. The ball rebounds to Jesper Lindstrom, who slices it wide.
82nd minute: James McClaren for Australia, takes over from the tireless Mitchell Duke, who puts up another big shift on his own.
80th minute: Denmark look shot. There is no belief, energy or motivation about their game here. But 10 minutes to save yourself…
78th minute: The Socceroos have only reached the round of 16 once before in six previous World Cup finals in Germany in 2006. They are about 12 minutes, added time, away from matching that feat.
74th minute: Another change for Australia – Bailey Wright for Riley McGree.
73rd minute: Big chance for Denmark! But Andreas Cornelius, as a sub, can’t keep his header down. It should be targeted. But there is an offside flag in any case.
71st minute: Is it a penalty for Denmark? Kasper Dolberg goes down under a challenge from Harry Souter…the referee points to the spot…NO! There is a flag for offside.
70th minute: Denmark sending on two more substitutes – Andreas Cornelius and Robert Skov for Andreas Skov Olsen and Joachim Mahle.
67th minute: Brilliant run by Australia left-back Aziz Behich as he makes his way to a Denmark penalty, but his cross hits Pierre-Emile Hojsberg and deflects to Behich for a goal-kick. unlucky
62nd minute: As things stand, Australia are going through!
60th minute: Goal for Australia! On the counter-attack, Mathieu Leckie turned in and out of Joachim Mahele before threading an accurate left-footed shot into the right corner beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel.
The given video is available in US
This goal by Mathew Leckie was CLINICAL 🇦🇺🔥 pic.twitter.com/3IdggxmYK5
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 30, 2022
The given video is available in UK
WHAT A GOAL!!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 30, 2022
Matthew Leckie with a massive goal for his country! Australia now heading through as it stands 🇦🇺#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/EnC8d2hx7J
The given video is available in CANADA
WOW! Mathew Leckie with an incredible goal!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 30, 2022
What a huge moment for Australia. Can they hold the lead? #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/GkHbHgTJUi
58th minute: Denmark make a double change. Kasper Dolberg and Mikael Damsgaard for Matthias Jensen and a disappointing Martin Braithwaite.
57th minute: Big news from the next game! Tunisia scored a goal against France! If it stays like that, the North African side is going through! A draw is not enough for Australia now.
52nd minute: Ouch! Kai Rawls takes full force from Andreas Skov Olsen’s shot to his midriff. The Australian defender is clearly winded and needs a minute to recover.
48th minute: Chance for Australia! Jackson Irvine advances into Denmark territory and plays a smart one-two but when the return pass reaches him with his left foot, he fires a first-time effort over the bar with his left foot.
46th minute: Changes for each side at the interval.
St Mirren’s Keanu Box for Australia, alongside Craig Goodwin. Alexander Bah replaces Rasmus Christensen for Denmark.
Halftime: Australia 0-0 Denmark
Denmark have done better, but like their previous two group games, lacked a cutting edge in attack. Australia will be happy enough after coming back in the last 10 minutes. As things stand, they are joining France in the round of 16.
45th minute+1: Andreas Skov Olsen comes in behind Mitchell Duque and is perhaps lucky not to pick up a yellow card. Denmark is getting frustrated.
45th minute: We will have two minutes of added time.
42nd minute: Jesper Lindstrom plays a lovely one-two on the edge of the box but, advancing from the left, opts to cross the ball with the outside of his right foot, and it goes straight to Matt Ryan. Strange decision. For Denmark, there is a lack of final strength at the moment.
41st minute: And suddenly Australia put together a good move as Mitchell Duke gets his first look at goal. It’s a decent strike with his left foot, but Kasper Schmeichel handles it comfortably enough.
36th minute: Mitchell Duque, the Socceroos goalscoring hero against Tunisia, hasn’t seen much action yet. Striker Joachim Mahele is a little too heavy handed with his challenge and concedes the free-kick, much to his disgust.
32nd min: Australia struggling to make any progress in attack. But as the situation remains the same, it is passing as the runner-up behind France in Group D.
29th minute: Jesper Lindström breaks down the left for Denmark and he gets a cross to Australia, but only as far as Christian Eriksen. The great Dane is off his radar on this occasion though, and he drags his right-footed shot wide of the left post.
24th minute: Possession by the Denmark boss at this point, looking dangerous every time he advances into Australia’s half. Andreas Skov Olsen plays a one-two with Matthias Jensen but the Club Brugge striker’s tame effort is easily gathered by Matt Ryan. A warning sign for the Socceroos though…
19th minute: Now it’s the Danes on the attack and Joachim Mahe gets to the left byline and fires a cross into the area, forcing Aussie keeper Matt Ryan to make a hasty save.
17th minute: Australia break in numbers but Matthew Lecky can’t get past Craig Goodwin and Denmark.
11th minute: And Matthias Jensen is down right! He steps forward on goal and lets fly with his right foot, but Matt Ryan tips it over the bar.
The given video is available in UK
Ooof Mathias Jensen draws a good save from Matt Ryan to keep it 0-0!#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 30, 2022
10th minute: A chance for Denmark, but Australian right-back Milos Degenek makes a brilliant block as Jesper Lindström pulls the trigger.
8th minute: News of Group D’s next match. Did Tunisia take the lead against France? No! Ruled out for offside. As you were…
6th minute: Rasmus Christensen gets a good ball for Denmark but Matthias Jensen can’t connect it at the near post. half a chance
3rd minute: Australia’s Riley McGree has his first attempt at goal, but his left-footed shot is blocked by Joachim Anderson.
The Socceroos are getting plenty of support back home, as you’d expect.
Australia vs Denmark lineup, team news
Hearts defender Nathaniel Atkinson is still out with the knee injury that ruled him out of the game against Tunisia, with Milos Degenek starting at right-back as the only change to the side, with Fran Karasic out.
Australia confirmed lineup (4-1-4-1, right to left): 1. Ryan (GK) – 2 Degenek, 19. Soutar, 4. Rawls, 16. Behi – 13. Muy – 22. Irvine, 14. McGree, 7. Leckie, 23. Goodwin – 15. Duke
With Thomas Delaney ruled out of the tournament through injury, Joach Kasper Hjulmand made three changes to the team that lost 2-1 to France.
Matthias Jensen, Martin Braithwaite and Andreas Skov Olsen all come into the squad, with Victor Nelson, Mikael Damsgaard and Andreas Cornelius out.
Denmark confirmed lineup (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Schmeichel (GK) — 2. Anderson, 6. A. Christensen, 5. Mahele — 13. Christensen, 23. Hojsburg, 7. Jensen, 10. Eriksson – 9. Braithwaite, 11. Skov Olsen, 25. Lindstrom