Australia 1-0 Denmark
FIFA World Cup
Group D
Al Janoub Stadium
Attendance: 41,232
Australia has pulled off an upset by qualifying for the round of 16 of the World Cup. The Socceroos started with a defeat against France, but then won against Tunisia and also proved too strong for Denmark on Wednesday, which finished bottom of Group D.
Denmark had no choice but to beat Australia. The team of national coach Kasper Hjulmand was also the parent, but was not creative enough in the final phase. Apart from a shot from Mathias Jensen, which was blocked by Mathew Ryan, the Danish danger was limited in the first half.
Australia was also not decisive in the vanguard, but remained upright through discipline in defense and midfield. A draw in advance was a good result for Australia. Only a victory by Tunisia over France would keep Australia out of the round of 16 and that scenario was not considered likely in advance.
Tunisia did take the lead against France, but before that news had sunk in, Australia scored itself. Mathew Leckie was sent off from his own half by Riley McGree, charged at goal, cut Joakim Maehle and scored with a diagonal shot.
Denmark brought in Kasper Dolberg, Mikkel Damsgaard, Andreas Cornelius and Robert Skov to avoid embarrassment. It needed to score two more to go through. Denmark thought they would be awarded a penalty after a foul on Dolberg, but the striker was offside and the game situation was therefore invalid. Denmark was then quite powerless and Australia qualified for the eighth finals of the World Cup for the second time ever.
“Kasper Hjulmand’s national team has reached an all-time low. Three duels. One point,” Ekstra Bladet commented. “The Danes had high expectations. In a group that was more than promising in advance. Devoid of desire to rumble through to the World Cup round of 16, the Danes’ World Cup dream died. Far too many of Hjulmand’s chosen few failed the level at all. The responsibility is on him, but the players have to go home and look at themselves in the mirror.”
