Australia vs Denmark Highlights: Mathew Leckie’s strike sends Australia into World Cup last 16 with 1-0 win over Denmark | Football News

NEW DELHI: Mathew Leckie scored his first ever goal at the World Cup which eventually turned out to be the match winner as Australia made it to the last 16 for the first time since 2006 after registering a gritty 1-0 win over Denmark in their final Group D match at Al Wakrah in Qatar on Wednesday.
After a barren first half, Leckie put Australia ahead on the counter attack in the 60th minute when he got past the Danish defence before slotting the ball home.
Denmark, who looked lively and had more possession, created chances in the first half and could have taken an early lead but Jesper Lindstrom’s shot from close range was blocked before Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan parried away an attempt from Mathias Jensen.

Australia finished second with six points, level with group winners France after the world champions lost 0-1 to Tunisia. Denmark were bottom on one point with Tunisia third on four.
The Australians have qualified for the knockout rounds for only the second time, having also done so 16 years ago when they lost 0-1 to Italy in the last 16.
The Australian defence was guilty of gifting space to Joakim Maehle on the left in the 19th minute as the defender drilled the ball into the box, but Ryan once again came to Australia’s rescue, kicking the ball away.

Australia began creating chances and threatening the Danish defence as forward Duke Mitchell took aim from range, while Riley McGree had a shot saved by Kasper Schmeichel.
They finally broke the deadlock at the hour mark as Leckie timed his run perfectly and sent the ball through Maehle’s legs before beating Schmeichel.
Denmark thought they had been handed a lifeline 10 minutes later when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul on Kasper Dolberg, but it was quickly overturned after the flag was raised for offside.
(With inputs from Agencies)