WATCH: Australia defeat Denmark to advance to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16

The Socceroos have made history, advancing to the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup for the second time in Australian football history with a plucky 1-0 triumph over Denmark at Al Janoub Stadium on Thursday morning (AEDT).

Mathew Leckie’s solitary goal on the hour mark sealed the Socceroos’ passage to the last 16 for the first time since 2006, with an incredible six points - our highest-ever points tally - to finish second behind France on goal difference in Group D.

With France losing 1-0 to Tunisia, the Socceroos had to win to qualify for the knockout stages.
It is also the first instance Australia has won consecutive games at the FIFA World Cup.

Going into the match Australia controlled its destiny, and instead of relying on other results or playing for the draw, the Aussies ultimately took matters into their own hands.

Graham Arnold made just the one personnel change to the starting XI with Milos Degenek replacing Fran Karacic at right-back.

Meanwhile, Mathew Ryan and Leckie joined Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano on a record-equalling ninth FIFA World Cup appearance with the Socceroos.

Ryan produced a sharp save at his near post to tip over Mathias Jensen’s stinging strike as Denmark began the contest on the front foot.

Australia had to absorb a substantial amount of pressure from the 10th-ranked nation, though did have a handful of opportunities to break quickly but lacked quality on the final pass.

Riley McGree tried a speculative shot on the half-volley from a header down by Mitch Duke, however it was straight at Kasper Schmeichel.

Denmark appeared most threatening during the first half when they got in behind the Socceroos full-backs, though their final crosses were mostly dealt with by either Ryan or the two centre-backs in Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles.

For all the pressure Australia endured, they went into the interval level at 0-0.

Arnold introduced Keanu Baccus at half-time at the expense of Craig Goodwin in a tactical move which forced McGree into a wider position.

The Danes brought in Benfica’s Alexander Bah for Rasmus Kristensen in a like-for-like replacement at right-back.

Australia made a bright start to begin the half with Jackson Irvine firing over his snapshot from McGree’s cross, before the match mirrored a very similar pattern to the first 45 with Denmark controlling possession.

With Tunisia having just scored against France in the other group game, Australia needed to score, and they did just that through a blistering counter-attack.

In the 60th minute, Leckie became the ninth Australian to hit the back of the net at the FIFA World Cup with a superb individual run.

Souttar found Duke, who found McGree and he released the 31-year-old, who still had plenty of work to do.

The winger twisted and turned Joakim Maehle inside out before clinically seeing his left footed finish nestle into the bottom corner for his maiden FIFA World Cup goal.

Bailey Wright was given his debut at the major tournament with Arnold looking to sure things up defensively, taking off McGree.

Jamie Maclaren was then summoned after another tireless shift from Duke.

The Aussies negotiated the final stages expertly, with Denmark never really looking like scoring. Once the final whistle blew, scenes of utter jubilation ensued on the pitch, in the stands and back home.

The Green and Gold will face the winner of Group C in Argentina in the last 16 of the competition.

Opta Insights

• This is the second meeting between Australia and Denmark at the FIFA World Cup, following a 1-1 draw in the group stage of the competition last time out in 2018.
• Mitchell Duke has scored five goals in his last eight starts for Australia in all competitions, with four of these goals being headers.
• Today’s appearances see Mathew Ryan and Mathew Leckie become Australia’s joint-highest appearance makers in World Cup history alongside Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano (9 games).
• Mathew Leckie has scored his first ever goal at the World Cup with today his ninth appearance in the competition.
• Mathew Leckie has scored his 14th goal for Australia in all competitions, five more than any other player in the Australia World Cup 2022 squad
• Australia have scored in their last 3 games in the World Cup, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 4 games from 19th June 2010 to 18th June 2014.
• Australia have kept a clean sheet in 2 of their 3 games, no team has done this more in the 2022 World Cup.
• Denmark have failed to win in their last 6 games in the World Cup, their longest winless streak in the competition.
• Goalkeeper Mat Ryan both made (39) and completed (24) more passes than any other Australia player against Denmark.
• Aziz Behich's yellow card after three minutes and 12 seconds was Australia's fastest ever card in a World Cup match, and the earliest one shown at the 2022 tournament so far.

Match Details

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™
Thursday, 1 December 2022 (AEDT)
Australia 1 (Leckie 60') 
Denmark  0
Al Janoub Stadium