Australia vs Denmark LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction as Mathew Leckie nets crucial strike

Denmark are taking on Australia in what is effectively a knockout tie in Group D of the Qatar World Cup, with everything on the line as both sides vie for a place in the last 16.

The Danes have only one point on the board thanks to an opening goalless draw with Tunisia. They battled well with reigning world champions France but eventually fell 2-1, and it leaves Kasper Hjulmand’s side needing all three points against second-placed Australia in order to leapfrog them and qualify for the knockout stage.

Australia were well beaten by France in their opener but managed to earn a vital victory over Tunisia in their second game to put themselves in pole position to qualify with France. Tunisia beating France would complicate matters, but if that doesn’t happen then Australia simply need to avoid defeat here to book their place in the last 16.

Follow all the action with our live blog below.

Australia vs Denmark

• 62’ - GOAL! Leckie twists, turns and scores to put Australia back in last-16 spot (AUS 1-0 DEN)

• 58’ - UPDATE: Tunisia score against France to move ahead of Aussies in standings (TUN 1-0 AUS)

• 48’ - CHANCE! Irvine whips a shot over the bar from a promising position

• HALF TIME: No clear chances before the break, with the Aussies 45 minutes from last 16

• Australia take on Denmark in Group D of the Qatar World Cup

• A draw will take Australia through if France avoid a shock defeat by Tunisia

• Denmark will advance with victory as long as Tunisia don’t beat France by a greater margin

Qatar 0 - 2 Ecuador

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:47 , Alex Pattle

88 mins: Great tackle!!

Denmark carve an opening in the Aussie box, but Souttar slides in to halt the attack for a moment...

The ball rolls to Bah, though... but he skews his shot well wide!

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:45 , Alex Pattle

87 mins: Australia come under pressure again.

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:42 , Alex Pattle

85 mins: Five minutes plus added time for Australia to hang on!

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:40 , Alex Pattle

83 mins: Denmark are starting to try their luck with long-range shots now, but they’re all getting blocked.

Jamie Maclaren replaces Duke up top for Australia.

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:37 , Alex Pattle

80 mins: A deep Denmark cross from the right wing goes all the way over the box and out for a throw-in.

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:36 , Alex Pattle

78 mins: A promising Australia move breaks down on their left flank, and Denmark come forward themselves.

Their own attack ends with a cross sent in behind Dolberg, who tries to flick it over his defender and goalwards with a scorpion kick, but it lands in Ryan’s hands.

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:33 , Alex Pattle

76 mins: Skov goes into the book for a foul while trying to win the ball near the halfway line.

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:32 , Alex Pattle

75 mins: A cross comes in from Denmark’s left, and Cornelius shrugs off his defender...

The forward heads his effort over the bar, though!

Now Bailey Wright comes on for McGree for Australia.

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:30 , Alex Pattle

72 mins: A ball is whipped into the Aussie box, where Dolberg tries to break into space in front of Ryan’s goal.

He goes down, claiming that he was fouled, and this will be checked by VAR...

But no foul is given. The Dane appeared to be offside anyway.

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:28 , Alex Pattle

70 mins: Denmark’s Maehle and Skov Olson are off, replaced by Andreas Cornelius and Robert Skov.

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:26 , Alex Pattle

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:25 , Alex Pattle

World Cup 2022: Australia 1-0 Denmark

16:22 , Alex Pattle

65 mins: Kasper Dolberg and Mikkel Damsgaard are on for Denmark, replacing Braithwaite and Jensen.

World Cup 2022: GOAL! Australia 1-0 Denmark (Leckie, 62)

16:20 , Alex Pattle

62 mins: GOAL! Australia lead! A long pass finds Leckie, who turns one way then the other in the Danes’ box and slides a low shot past Schmeichel – into the bottom corner!!

That goal is crucial! Tunisia’s strike against France meant Australia were going out, but not as things stand!

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

16:18 , Alex Pattle

61 mins: Eriksen whips a fierce free kick across goal, but no one can get on the end of it, and it’s out for an Aussie goal kick.

Alexander Bah is on for Denmark, replacing Rasmus Kristensen.

Meanwhile, Goodwin makes way for Keanu Baccus for Australia.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

16:16 , Alex Pattle

58 mins: Degenek is beaten by Lindstrom by the corner flag and drags back the Dane, earning a booking.

Meanwhile, Tunisia have just taken the lead against France!! And they’re well worth that lead!

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

16:15 , Alex Pattle

57 mins: Denmark try to increase the tempo, but Braithwaite – on the edge of the Australia area – fails to control a fizzing pass that’s about chest height.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

16:12 , Alex Pattle

54 mins: A cut-back from the right finds Skov Olsen in the Aussies’ box... but he lashes at a shot.

It’s powerful but would be going wide if not for a block.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

16:10 , Alex Pattle

52 mins: Denmark with a sustained spell of possession now. They’re patiently probing.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

16:06 , Alex Pattle

48 mins: The clipped corner is headed out of the box, but Behich runs onto it and tries a half-volley...

He slices at it, and the ball is going wide, but a Danish defender gets a head on it anyway. Another corner for Australia.

This one is dealt with, too, and now the Socceroos have a throw-in on the right, but they soon lose possession.

They regain it and work the ball out to the left, where a low cross is cut back for Irvine...

His first-time effort is whipped well over the bar! Good chance!

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

16:04 , Alex Pattle

46 mins: Back under way, and Australia have already won a corner out on their right!

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

16:01 , Alex Pattle

The second half is just moments away!

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:48 , Alex Pattle

Half time: Goalless at the break!

Australia are 45 minutes (plus added time!) from booking their spot in the last 16...

Tunisia 0-0 France is the other score in Group D.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:47 , Alex Pattle

45 mins: Two minutes of added time to come.

Goodwin slides a low cross into the Danish box from the Aussies’ left flank, but it’s defended well as it approaches Schmeichel’s goal.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:46 , Alex Pattle

45 mins: Leckie flicks the ball over his defender’s head with a clever touch in the Denmark box, before floating a volleyed pass across goal...

Schmeichel rises highest to emphatically punch it clear.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:43 , Alex Pattle

43 mins: Lindstrom is involved in a nice, if somewhat accidental give-and-go, but his subsequent cut-back in the Australia box is poor!

It’s straight into Ryan’s gloves.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:41 , Alex Pattle

41 mins: Australia are doing a better job at hanging onto the ball at the moment.

They risk losing it as Ryan clips a long bass out from the box, but it’s headed on to McGree, who darts towards the byline.

His cross from the right wing headed away with relative ease, though.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:38 , Alex Pattle

38 mins: Australia are gradually growing into this game.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:33 , Alex Pattle

33 mins: McGree whips a short cross into the Danish box, and a header is flicked on and goalwards...

There’s not enough pace on it, however, and Schmeichel collects it with ease.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:30 , Alex Pattle

30 mins: Eriksen has the ball on the edge of the Australia box and feints as if he’s going to cross, but he opts for a shot towards the bottom corner instead...

He drags his shot comfortably wide, though.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:28 , Alex Pattle

28 mins: Australia mount a rare attack, which ends with a misplaced, headed pass.

As things stand, Australia are going through at the expense of Denmark – and Tunisia – but they’re still under pressure here.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:25 , Alex Pattle

25 mins: Maehle is again on the ball in the Australia box, on the left-hand side as the Danes see it.

This time he tries to wriggle his way towards goal instead of passing the ball, but Mooy dispossesses him in a crucial moment.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:23 , Alex Pattle

23 mins: McGree, closing in on the Denmark box, chests down a pass from his right and tries a half-volley...

His technique is clean, but the strike is a bit undercooked and caught easily by Schmeichel.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:22 , Alex Pattle

22 mins: A cross is swung in from Denmark’s right wing, and Christensen again heads wide – but he’s deemed to have fouled his man while climbing for the header anyway.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:20 , Alex Pattle

19 mins: A Socceroos’ move loses its spring after a poor pass into the Danish box, and Denmark hit straight back!

Maehle gets on the end of a lofted pass from the back and provides a low cross from the left, just inside the Aussie box, but Ryan scrambles it away with a skewed kick!

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:18 , Alex Pattle

17 mins: McGree escapes a booking for a sloppy challenge, but he has given away a free kick out on Australia’s right flank and midway into their half.

Eriksen floats it in, but Christensen’s header at the back post goes well wide.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:15 , Alex Pattle

14 mins: This is a sustained spell of Danish pressure.

Skov Olsen receives the ball just inside the Socceroos’ box, but – as with Jensen moments ago – the angle isn’t kind.

He leans back and skies his shot.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:13 , Alex Pattle

13 mins: Andersen sends a long, low pass out from the centre of the Denmark defence, and it’s flicked on for Jensen, who’s running into the Australia area!

Such an efficient move... but Jensen is forced to strike on the angle, and his powerful effort is tipped over by Ryan!

Australia then clear the Denmark corner that follows.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:11 , Alex Pattle

11 mins: A half-chance for the Danes!

They work the ball out wide on the right, and a low cross is cut back into the centre of the Australia box.

A great, sliding interception denies the subsequent shot, however!

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:09 , Alex Pattle

9 mins: Hojbjerg miscontrols the ball in his own half, and Goodwin pounces. He simply passes the ball out for a throw-in with an inaccurate effort, though. A waste!

Denmark take the throw and then boot the ball long, but Lindstrom is judged to have pushed his man while vying for it deep in the Aussie half.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:07 , Alex Pattle

7 mins: Lindstrom pokes a pass to Maehle, who’s storming up Denmark’s left flank on the overlap.

The full back sends in a cross with the outside of his boot, but Ryan does well to collect it.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:06 , Alex Pattle

5 mins: Jensen can’t control a low cross into the Australia six-yard box, and the Socceroos have a goal kick.

It’s actually passed from defender to keeper Ryan, who hoofs it long but out of play!

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:04 , Alex Pattle

3 mins: Fast start for Australia!

They win the ball in Denmark’s half and string together some neat, short passes, before McGree gets a shot off from the edge of the box.

It’s blocked and deflects away, though!

Soon after, Behich is booked for dragging back Skov Olsen.

The resultant Danish free kick goes into the Aussie box but is headed away.

World Cup 2022: Australia 0-0 Denmark

15:00 , Alex Pattle

KICK-OFF!

World Cup 2022: Australia vs Denmark

14:57 , Alex Pattle

Denmark’s anthem is complete. Kick-off is moments away!

World Cup 2022: Australia vs Denmark

14:55 , Alex Pattle

Australia’s national anthem is up first!

World Cup 2022: Australia vs Denmark

14:54 , Alex Pattle

The players are making their way onto the pitch.

World Cup 2022: Australia vs Denmark

14:51 , Alex Pattle

T-minus 10 minutes until kick-off in this crucial Group D game!

World Cup 2022: Australia vs Denmark

14:40 , Alex Pattle

A reminder of the starting XIs for this game:

World Cup 2022: Australia vs Denmark

14:25 , Alex Pattle

Following England’s 3-0 victory over Wales last night, the Three Lions have booked their spot in the last 16, where they will face Senegal.

Our writers picked their England starting line-ups for that fixture this weekend:

Rashford or Sterling? Our writers pick England starting XI vs Senegal

World Cup 2022: Australia vs Denmark

14:15 , Alex Pattle

World Cup 2022: Australia vs Denmark

14:02 , Alex Pattle

“It could be a dark day for the dark horses. Denmark were tipped as potential World Cup winners. They came to Qatar ranked 10th in the world, with a 2022 double over France to their name, as Euro 2020 semi-finalists, with 23 wins in their last 32 games. They may go out at the first opportunity after finishing below Australia or Tunisia; maybe even both.

“But, as Denmark know to their cost, a prowess in the European Championships is no guarantee of World Cup success. This has been billed as their best team in three decades. Yet the side who won Euro ’92 failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, just as Euro 2020 champions Italy are nowhere to be seen in Qatar.

“Manager Kasper Hjulmand has seen parallels with the more recent past. ‘We had zero points after two games in the Euros so we still have hope,’ he noted after defeat by France. Indeed, Denmark’s opening stalemate with Tunisia means they actually have more points than at this stage in Euro 2020.

“Yet one difference then was that there was the potential for third-place teams to sneak through; another was that the opening loss to Finland followed Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest; understandably, a shellshocked side had weightier matters on their mind.”

Here’s Richard Jolly previewing the game from Qatar:

Denmark aim to draw on past memories as World Cup destiny is decided

World Cup 2022: Australia vs Denmark

13:55 , Alex Pattle

Match odds:

Australia to win 11/2

Denmark to win 1/2

Draw 7/2

Via Betfair.

World Cup 2022: Australia vs Denmark

13:41 , Alex Pattle

TEAM NEWS!

Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Andersen, Maehle, Christensen, Kristensen; Hojbjerg, Jensen, Eriksen, Lindstrom, Skov Olsen; Braithwaite

World Cup 2022: Australia vs Denmark

13:39 , Alex Pattle

TEAM NEWS!

Australia XI: Ryan; Degenek, Rowles, Souttar; Behich, McGree, Mooy, Irvine; Goodwin, Duke, Leckie

World Cup 2022: Australia vs Denmark

13:26 , Alex Pattle

Denmark are taking on Australia in what is effectively a knockout tie in Group D of the Qatar World Cup, with everything on the line as both sides vie for a place in the last 16.

The Danes have only one point on the board thanks to an opening goalless draw with Tunisia. They battled well with reigning world champions France but eventually fell 2-1, and it leaves Kasper Hjulmand’s side needing all three points against second-placed Australia in order to leapfrog them and qualify for the knockout stage.

Australia were well beaten by France in their opener but managed to earn a vital victory over Tunisia in their second game to put themselves in pole position to qualify with France. Tunisia beating France would complicate matters, but if that doesn’t happen then Australia simply need to avoid defeat here to book their place in the last 16.