World Cup 2022: ‘Crazy’ Scenes in Melbourne As Australia Seal Dramatic Last 16 Qualification Ahead of Tunisia

• Australia have secured their place in the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup
• A 1-0 victory over Denmark sent hundreds of supporters into a state of euphoria
• This is the second time the Socceroos have advanced to the World Cup round of 16

Australia sealed qualification to the knockout phase of the 2022 World Cup in dramatic circumstances.

The Socceroos, who punched a ticket to this year's Mundial via inter-continental playoffs, reached the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 2006.

A brilliant solo effort from Mathew Leckie was all Australia needed to see off competition from Denmark, while Tunisia sealed an epic one-nil win over defending champions France.

How did Australia advance?

Australia began their campaign with a chastening 4-1 loss in their opening game, at the hands of defending champions France.

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Coach Graham Arnold's charges would give themselves a fighting chance to reach a knockout phase with a 1-0 victory against Tunisia, and repeated the same feat against Denmark in their final group game.

The victory against the Danes took Australia's point tally to six, two more than Tunisia who stunned France, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The final-day results ensure the Socceroos qualify alongside France from Group D, and they will face the first-placed team from Group C.

How did Australians react?

Supporters of Australia, monitoring the game at Melbourne's Federation Square, entered into a realm of unbridled joy and celebration, as the Socceroos reached the round of 16 for the second time in their history.

In a video shared on social media, sighted by Sports Brief, the supporters numbering hundreds held flares amid chanting and jubilation.

Australia reach Mundial's last 16

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Australia reached the last 16 of the World Cup for only the second time in their history, with a 1-0 win over a disappointing Denmark on Wednesday.

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Winger Mathew Leckie scored the winner on the hour with a smart run and finish, to end the Danes' Qatar hopes at the group stage.

Australia, who made the knockout rounds in 2006 when they had Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Viduka in their ranks, have now won back-to-back World Cup games for the first time.