A stunning solo goal from Mathew Leckie has sunk Denmark 1-0 and sent Australia into the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 16 years.
Leckie’s superb left-footed strike ensured the Socceroos followed the feats of the golden generation of Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill in 2006 in reaching the round of 16.
They had to do it the hard way at the Al Janoub Stadium. Forced to repel wave after wave of attack in the first half, coach Graham Arnold’s men hung on grimly but never let go in front of 41,232 fans.
Leckie’s goal, played into space by Riley McGree, broke an hour-long deadlock with a slicing run at his marker Joakim Maehle after gathering some 30m from goal.
First to his right, then onto his left, Leckie twisted and turned his opponent and fired a low left-footer to instantly enter Australian football folklore.
“As the ball was rolling in, I saw it going in, I was so excited and so happy,” Leckie said after the match.
For fans, the goal triggered absolute madness on the field and at the live site in Melbourne’s Federation Square where people were seen chanting loudly.
Arnold called the match “remarkable” and said: “I am so proud and happy, this is what World Cups are for.”
“I truly believe that the Socceroos are the team that unite the nation,” the coach said.
Australia will now face the winners of Group C, which will be decided later Thursday morning (AEDT). Group C comprises Poland, Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Mexico.
The Socceroos knockout fixture will be played at 6am Sunday AEDT.
Source: ABC News.
