The Joeys have seen off a late charge by a physical Argentina to seal a brilliant 2-1 win in their final group stage game of the U-17 World Cup in Chillan, Chile.
The Joeys now face an anxious wait to find out whether they advance to the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup Round of 16.
Winger Nicholas Panetta struck first in the 25th minute after getting on the end of a well-worked free kick, before adding to the lead in the 52nd minute with an audacious volley from 30 yards.
The Argentinians got one back through a Tomas Conechny penalty after Charlie Devereux was adjudged to have clipped substitute Lucas Pizzatti in the box.
They almost drew level shortly after, when a solid move was capped off with a header, but was chalked off as offside.
The Argentinians threw everything at the Joeys in the last half hour, but a backs-to-the-wall defensive effort gave the Aussies the win.
Australia now has to wait until tomorrow’s fixtures are completed before they are assured of a spot in the Round of 16; only the best four third-placed teams qualify for the knockout stages.
While four points means the Joeys are better placed to qualify for the Round of 16 than England in Group B, results in Groups E and F could send Australia home.
Few gave the Joeys any chance of progressing after the initial draw in September saw Australia grouped alongside Germany, Mexico, and Argentina, but Tony Vidmar’s boys have performed proudly on the world stage.
A 4-1 loss to Germany began the tournament on a sour note, but the Joeys earned a point after a 0-0 draw against two-time world champions Mexico, before defeating Argentina 2-1.