Fierce battle: Tunisia’s Wahbi Khazri (left) in action against France’s Eduardo Camavinga during the Group D match at the Al Rayyan Stadium. Below: Mathew Leckie scored the winner for Australia. — Reuters/AFP
AUSTRALIA upset Denmark 1-0 to qualify for the World Cup knockout phase for the first time in 16 years thanks to a fine solo goal from Mathew Leckie.
Australia contained Denmark at the Al Janoub Stadium before stinging the Scandinavians on a counter-attack in the 60th minute when Leckie burst into space, wrong-footed defender Joakim Maehle and fired low past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand brought on all the attacking firepower he could muster as he desperately sought the goals that have eluded his side in Qatar.
But Australia held on to claim second place in Group D, behind France. Denmark finished bottom with one point.
In the other match, French-born Wahbi Khazri scored the only goal of the game as Tunisia upset World Cup holders France 1-0 at the Education City Stadium yesterday, but the shock victory was not enough for them to join the defending champions in the last 16 of the tournament in Qatar.
Khazri steered home a 58th-minute winner amid a cluster of defenders for only a third victory at six World Cup tournaments for Tunisia but they were still eliminated.
France, who made nine changes for this match from the team that beat Denmark and had already booked their place in the knockout stages, finished top of Group D on goal difference from runners-up Australia. — Reuters
