World Cup 2022 highlights: Australia defeats Denmark to advance
The 2022 FIFA World Cup continued Wednesday with Group D at the forefront. Australia (2-0-1) defeated Denmark (0-1-2), 1-0, in a tense match at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. With the win, Australia moves on to the knockout stage and Denmark has been eliminated from the World Cup.
The match was a scoreless draw until the 60th minute when Australia's Mathew Leckie netted a goal. It ended up being pivotal considering at the time, Australia would've been knocked out of the tournament if the game remained tied and Tunisia held its lead over France.
You can watch this game and every match of the tournament on the FOX Sports family of networks — the tournament's official English-language broadcast partner in the U.S. — and the FOX Sports app and FOXSports.com. You can also stream full-match replays for free on Tubi.
Here are the top plays!
Setting the stage
Australia is aiming to build on the momentum it gained after collecting a shutout win in its last group stage outing. Australia will move on to the knockout stage if it beats Denmark or if it ties Denmark and France beats or ties with Tunisia. On the other side, Denmark is aiming for its first win of the tournament after one draw and one loss. A win would likely get Denmark into the knockout stage as it needs France to either win or draw on top of that.
Who gets the last spot to advance to the knockout stage?
With France already punching its ticket to the knockout stage, the "World Cup Now" team discusses who will be the other Group D team to advance. Australia holds second place in the group entering Wednesday with three points.
They're staying up late in Australia for this one
Wednesday's match (or in Australia, Thursday's match) began at 2 a.m. local time in Australia. But with a chance to move on to the knockout stage on the line, fans back in Australia want to stay up to support their team.
Halftime: Both teams still looking for their first goal
Australia and Denmark struggled to find the back of the net in the first half even though both teams combined for five shots on goal. The scoreless draw going into halftime favored Australia as it would advance to the knockout stage if the result held.
Denmark has controlled possession for two-thirds of the match though, a trend that could favor it in the second half.
Australia-Denmark: First half highlights
60': Australia scores!
Mathew Leckie scored a huge goal for Australia to put it up 1-0, kicking the ball just by an outstretched Kasper Schmeichel. The goal came just a couple of minutes after Tunisia went up 1-0 on France, which would've knocked Australia out if it remained tied with Denmark.
Australia's Mathew Leckie scores goal vs. Denmark in 60'
In the end, that single goal would prove to be enough for the Aussies to win and advance!
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- How to watch the 2022 World Cup on FOX: Times, channels, full match schedule
- Stu Holden's top 50 players at the World Cup
- 101 most memorable World Cup moments
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Check out the full schedule for the World Cup and how to watch each match live here.
