Europe 1 with AFP 10:18 p.m., November 30, 2022

The Viking spirit of Denmark was well weary and Australia showed more desire to conquer its place in the round of 16 of the 2022 Football World Cup on Wednesday, for the second time in its history.

And it will be against Argentina on Saturday in Doha to follow from 8:00 p.m. in "Europe 1 Sport".

The satellite link worked well between the stadiums in Doha: the Australian supporters massed in a corner of the Al Janoub stadium had just learned that the "Socceroos" had one foot outside Qatar, because of the goal scored by Tunisia against La France, when Mathew Leckie escaped on the counter to put it back in the Top-16 thanks to an impeccable cross shot (60th).

Only beaten on goal difference by the Blues, the Australians will challenge Lionel Messi's Argentina in the round of 16 on Saturday.

"It's so many emotions. We want to dream big and we said when we arrived that we wanted to pass the first round. It's done", savored the evening striker, 31, who plays in Melbourne City.

>> READ ALSO

- 2022 World Cup: France beaten by Tunisia (1-0) but first, Australia qualified

Australian pride

The Australians then defended tooth and nail to avoid a Danish equalizer which would have meant a cruel elimination.

Their cheers when they gathered in a circle after the final whistle was the height of their achievement.

"I'm so proud of the players, of the commitment, of their fight," their coach Graham Arnold told the press.

“We talked a lot about the golden generation of 2006, maybe we are talking about a new golden generation,” he added.

>> READ ALSO

- "The protocol was not respected": the use of the VAR pinned during Tunisia-France

No social networks

Australia had only experienced the thrill of knockout matches so far, in 2006. The adventure then ended in eighth against future world champions Italy (1-0), on a penalty in added time from Francesco Totti.

The Danes, without ideas, will follow the rest of the tournament on television, unable to rekindle the flame which had led them to the semi-finals of the Euro last year.

During a meeting perfectly locked by the Australians, Martin Braithwaite, tenured in point, remained a shadow.

Kasper Dolberg, who came on in his place, was no more decisive despite a final push from the Danes who tried to snatch an equalizer that would have been useless to them.

Like their supporters, their Danish coach did not recognize his players during this World Cup concluded with a single point, in last place.