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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Grab a beer, sit back, relax
Australian fans can sit back and enjoy the games this evening (despite it being about 5am in Australia) to wait and see who they will play in the last 16.
They will play the winner of Group C on Saturday evening.
As it stands, that could anyone from Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia.
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Credit: Reuters 
Credit: Getty Harry has plenty of Souttar's
Australian centre-back Harry Souttar has been the rock of their defence throughout this tournament.
Whenever it looked certain The Socceroos were going to concede, Souttar comes from nowhere to block.
He would head a brick back if Denmark had thrown one into the box.
Stoke may find there are a few interested parties in their defender after this World Cup.
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Credit: PA 
Credit: AP Stick to your job mate
The heat map of Socceroo hero, Matthew Leckie, just goes to show that as long as you play your game the rest will fall into place.
Leckie had few chances in front of goal but was a thorn in the side of Denmark whenever Australia attacked.
A constant danger who has taken his side to another level this evening.
Leckie sparks Socceroo success
Matthew Leckie's goal has taken his country through to the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup.
Never fancied beforehand to progress from the group, even less so after their heavy defeat to France, Graham Arnold's side have proved many wrong.
The celebrations underpin just how much this means to the players.
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Credit: Getty 
Credit: Getty FT: Australia 1-0 Denmark
What a performance from Australia today to secure their place in the knockout phase of the 2022 World Cup.
In a stat-based world it would look like Denmark should have won this but they lacked The Socceroos passion and desire to make sure they got the win.
FT: Australia 1-0 Denmark
The referee brings the game to a close.
Fans around the stands go crazy, so do the players.
The Socceroos are in the last 16.
Credit: AP Australia 1-0 Denmark
90+6. Denmark are putting on the pressure right now.
Ball into Dolberg but somehow Australia get a foot in and manage to clear.
Degenek touches one towards his own goal, Ryan doesn't want to handle it and slices it over his own bar.
The corner comes in and finds Cornelius unmarked at the back post but he heads it over the bar.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
90+4. The game is surely gone now for Denmark.
All they can do at best is break Australian hearts with an equaliser.
It will mean nothing to them but everything to Tunisia.
Denmark corner, Schmeichel is coming up for it.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
90+2. Denmark come forward once again.
Crossing from the left hand side and Souttar is there to head clear once again.
Australia are winning everything in the air.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
90. We are going to have six minutes added.
Damsgaard is penalised for a foul on Degenek.
Australia need to hang on for six more minutes.
Credit: EPA Australia 1-0 Denmark
88. Eriksen is having to come so deep to look for the ball.
Lindstrom is just about to shoot until a player comes sliding in from nowhere to win the ball.
Who else but Souttar.
The Uluru to this Socceroo defence.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
86. It is Australia who press forward and manage to run the clock down by occupying Denmark in a defensive capacity.
The fans of The Socceroos can almost feel history taking place right here, right now.
Denmark continue to pass the ball, working it to the flanks to cross but Souttar heads clear once again.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
84. Denmark need a miracle.
They need to find two goals in quick succession to turn this group on its head.
An early exit from the World Cup could be more embarrassing than if people search for where the band 'Aqua' are from.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
82. Australia look to make a change as Duke comes off for Maclaren.
Some fresh legs to press those Danish defenders.
We are well into the final ten minutes, well added time permitting.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
80. Baccus has offered good options as an out-ball for The Socceroos since coming on as a sub.
If they can hold out for only their third ever clean sheet at a World Cup, then they are in the last 16.
Denmark are struggling to make their mark on the game.
Credit: Reuters
Australia 1-0 Denmark
78. Cornelius lays the ball off to Dolberg but the ball is behind him.
He tries the old Giroud scorpion effort but it is blocked by the defender.
The whole of Tunisia are pulling their Denmark tops on in more hope than anything else right now.
Australia 1-0 Denmark - Skov yellow card
76. The day goes from bad to worse for Denmark.
Every foul they give away now lets The Socceroos run the clock down.
Australia are playing the angles, using the flanks with long balls.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
74. Eriksen does well to work the ball out wide.
The cross finds Cornelius unmarked in the box, six yards out.
He heads the ball at least six yards wide of the post.
Terrible effort.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
72. Denmark were claiming for a handball there.
Wanting VAR to look at it but there was an offside in the build up.
The Danes are dominating possession again but not finding a way through the Australian lines.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
70. Maehle and Skov Olsen comes off for Cornelius and Skov.
Denmark are desperate for goals now.
Which begs the question why you would bring Cornelius on.
He missed an absolute sitter in the last game.
Credit: Getty Australia 1-0 Denmark
68. Skov Olsen is looking the danger man for Denmark.
Looking to get shots away whenever in sight of goal.
He wins another corner for The Danes.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
66. Graham Arnold will be wanting his players to try and get a second goal to give them a cushion.
Denmark are capable of scoring at any time.
Another goal for The Socceroos may dent the confidence of Denmark to end this as a contest.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
64. What an uphill task Denmark now face.
They need at least two goals in the next 30 minutes or so.
Australia need to hold on to what they already have and it does not matter what the Tunisia result is.
Australia 1-0 Denmark
62. Absolute scenes in Al-Wakrah.
The Socceroos counter attack and Leckie is left with two defenders and a keeper between him and the goal.
He squeezes a shot between the defender's legs, beating a full-stretch Schmeichel and clips the post and goes in.
Credit: Reuters Goal - Matthew Leckie (Australia)