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Australia edge Denmark to advance to last-16

Australia edge Denmark to advance to last-16

Caitlin Dillon

Australia won their final Group D match 1-0 to qualify for the round of 16 for the first time in 16 years and send Denmark packing at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Denmark dominated possession throughout but but did very little with it, and Australia produced a masterclass in defence. The Socceroos had gone into the match aware they just needed to hold Denmark off to advance - until Tunisia upset the applecart by going 1-0 up in the 59th minute, meaning either side would need a win to advance.

Denmark immediately made a double substitution, possibly to relay the message to the pitch, and Australia responded by going 1-0 up, as the Danes got caught on the counterattack after losing the ball in the Australian box, and Mathew Leckie fired a low shot past Kasper Schmeichel.

Australia spent the next half an hour sitting deep, but a wasteful Denmark only provided three, very comfortable, saves for Mathew Ryan.

Group D end the group stages with France at the top on 6 points, despite their loss to Tunisia. Australia sit in second place on six points, separated only by goal difference. Tunisia and Denmark bow out of the competition, sitting in third place with four points, and fourth place with 1 point, respectively.

Group C’s matches kick off at 10pm Doha time, with Poland taking on Argentina at Stadium 974, and Saudi Arabia facing Mexico at Lusail Stadium.