Australia vs Denmark Highlights: Mathew Leckie’s strike sends Australia into last 16 of World Cup 1-0 victory over Denmark | Football news

NEW DELHI: Matthew Leckie scored his first ever goal at the World Cup, which turned out to be the game winner in the end Australia made it to the last 16 for the first time since 2006 after registering a gritty 1-0 victory over Denmark in their final Group D match at Al Wakrah in Qatar on Wednesday.
After a harsh first half, Leckie put Australia ahead on the counter-attack in the 60th minute as he got past the Danish defense before firing the ball in.
Denmark, looking lively and having more possession, created chances in the first half and could have taken the lead early on, but Jesper Lindstrom’s shot from close range was blocked for the Australian goalkeeper. Matt Ryan deflected an attempt Mathias Jensen.

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

Australia began to create chances and threaten the Danish defense as striker Duke Mitchell aimed from range Riley McGree a shot saved by Kasper Schmeichel.
They finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Leckie timed his run perfectly and sent the ball through Maehle’s legs before beating Schmeichel.
Denmark thought they had a lifeline 10 minutes later when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul on Kasper Dolbergbut it was quickly reversed after the flag was raised for offside.
(With input from agencies)