Australia beat Denmark to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.
The Danes, needing a victory to progress, dominated possession but were caught out on the break when Australia scored the winner on the hour mark.
Denmark lost the ball in the Australian box and Matthew Leckie produced a brilliant counter-attack with a low shot past Kasper Schmeichel.
Australia are second in Group D with six points, just behind world champions France on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Denmark, sitting bottom of the group, crashed out of Qatar 2022 in disappointing fashion with just one point from three games.
Australia now play Group C winners Argentina on Saturday (19:00 GMT).
Dark Horse Bolt on the way out of Denmark
Denmark come into the World Cup described by many fans and pundits as ‘dark horses’ after their impressive run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and a strong UEFA Nations League campaign in which they beat France. Defeated home and away.
However, they failed to impress in Qatar and went home having scored just once in three Group D games.
Their attacking struggles were acknowledged by manager Kaspar Hjalmand, who made three changes from the defeat to France, all in attacking positions.
Martin Braithwaite, Brentford midfielders Matthias Jensen and Andreas Skoff-Olsen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Viktor Nilsson and striker Andreas Cornelius were dropped to the bench – but the changes made little difference.
The Danes’ best chance came in the first half through Jensen, who forced Australia captain Matt Ryan into a brilliant acrobatic save after being played in by a Braithwaite flick.
However, it was telling that Denmark’s most dangerous attacking outlet was left-back Joachim Mahel, who tested Australia with his probing runs but was not adequately supported by the forwards.
They called for a penalty in the second half when Kasper Dolberg was brought down in the area, but he was slightly offside as Denmark’s campaign ended.
Denmark continue their longest winless run at the World Cup, failing to win any of their last six games in the competition, drawing four of them.
Solid Australians show the spirit of 2006.
Australia, the lowest-ranked team in Group D, took the game at their own pace and a largely uneventful contest suited their needs, with a draw likely enough to leave them three points adrift in the group on day two. To view after launching
However, just as news filtered in of Tunisia taking a shock lead against France, which would have eliminated them on goal difference, had they been here, Leakey sprung into action.
Dolberg lost the ball in the Australian box and his side were caught out on the break. Melbourne City winger Leckie made a confident run through the Danish defence, slotting a left-footed shot past Schmeichel at the far post and through Mahel’s legs.
It ensured they reached the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 2006, when a star-studded side featuring Harry Cavill, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer were only held off by eventual champions Italy.
The team contains few big names but, through captain and ex-Brighton and Arsenal goalkeeper Ryan, they have bounced back from a 4-1 loss against France in their opening game – where they were wide open. And Kylian Mbappe and co grind the desired results.
It was Ryan who guided Australia through the nervy final six minutes of extra time.
A Cornelius header looped into the roof of the net in stoppage time but a historic victory was secured.
