Second in this group D behind the Blues of Didier Deschamps (on goal difference), but ahead of Tunisia, which they had beaten in the previous match (1-0), the Socceroos will know the name of the opponent in the evening ( the second in group C) which they will face on Saturday at the Ahmed Ben Ali stadium.

In their five previous appearances at a World Cup, Australia had only pulled out of the group stage once, in 2006 in Germany.

She was then stopped in the round of 16 by Italy (1-0), future world champion.

On Wednesday, Leckie scored one of the most important goals in the history of the Australian selection.

Launched by Riley McGree, the Melbourne City striker played with the Andersen / Meahle axis, very slow on this one, to deceive Schmeichel with a cross shot, dry and precise (61st).

Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (in green) fails to stop a shot by Australian player Mathew Leckie (in yellow) during the match between Australia and Denmark in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup at the Al- Janoub in Al-Wakrah (Qatar) on November 30, 2022. © NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP

For the Vikings, semi-finalists of the last Euro, this elimination in the first round with this record of one point out of nine constitutes a huge underperformance.

We did not recognize the Danes, beaten but enterprising three days earlier against France (2-1).

The Helpless Danes

Back to the wall and forced to win after a chaotic start to the tournament (1 goalless draw against the Tunisians and this loss against the Blues), Kasper Hjulmand's men certainly set foot on the ball from the start.

But apart from a strike from Mathias Jensen (11th), they had the worst difficulty approaching the goal defended by Matthew Ryan.

The Kangaroos were hardly more dangerous before the break, Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel lying down for the first time on a weak shot from Michell Duje in the … 42nd minute.

The match was therefore closed, very poor in goal possibilities, like the confrontation between these two teams four years ago in Russia (1-1) where they were already in the same group.

The Al-Janoub stadium came out of its torpor on the hour mark when Mathew Leckie took Australia in charge by taking advantage of the slowness of the opposing defense.

Forced to score twice so as not to have to leave Qatar prematurely, the Danes then embarked on the boarding of Mathew Ryan's goal in the greatest disorder.

Australian soccer player Mathew Leckie (left) battles with Danish player Alexander Bah during the match between Australia and Denmark in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup played on November 30, 2022 at Al- Janoub in Al-Wakrah (Qatar) on November 30, 2022. © NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA / AFP

But he missed everything to these Danes who seemed a little short physically, unable to jostle their opponents.

© 2022 AFP