Australia have reached the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup with a monumental 1-0 upset of Denmark to conclude Group D play at the Al Janoub Stadium.
The Danes, who reached the semifinals of the most recent edition of the European championships, dominated possession but were caught on the break as the Socceroos scored on the hour mark.
Losing possession in the Australia box, Mathew Leckie finished a stunning counterattack, firing low past De Rod-Hvide goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Graham Arnold's men won consecutive games at the World Cup for the first time ever and finish second in the group, only behind defending champions France on goal difference.
The result also brings Denmark's World Cup to a disappointing conclusion after finishing bottom of Group D with just one point and one goal scored, seeing their winless run at the global showpiece extended to six matches.
Australia will face the winner of Group C in the Round of 16 on Saturday.
Story of the match
Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand made three changes for this all-important clash, bringing in Martin Braithwaite, Mathias Jensen and Andreas Skov Olson while Mikkel Damsgaard, Victor Nelsson and Andreas Corneilus all dropped to the bench.
Milos Degenek replaced Fran Karacic in the only change made by Australia following their victory over Tunisia.
The Socceroos started the day in second place, knowing a draw would be sufficient enough to see them progress to the knockout stages, leaving it all to Denmark to attack.
The De Rod-Hvide enjoyed most of the possession and started out positively, Eriksen set about controlling the midfield but he and his side were frustrated time and again in what turned out to be a dour first 45 minutes of action.
Riley McGree had a go, watching his shot glance off of Mæhle. Aaron Mooy then turned the ball over, Joakim Maehle Mæhle nutmegging Milos Degenek only to see Mat Ryan deny him with his legs.
The Socceroos goalkeeper had to be alert to tip over from Jensen on 12 minutes and turned away a dangerous cross from enterprising left-back Mæhle while Ryan raced off his line to stop Braithwaite.
Having set up to play compact, Australia rarely ventured forward, but Riley McGree tested Schmeichel on the counter after being found by Mitchell Duke, the hero of the win over Tunisia.
Duke then set up Craig Goodwin in first-half stoppage time and he sent in a low cross that no one was able to get on the end of.
With both sides unable to find the breakthrough and continuing as they did in the first half, Tunisia took the lead against France through Wahbi Khazri.
Moments after news of the goal at the Education City Stadium that lifted Tunisia into second place in the group, Leckie latched on to a fine through ball by McGree, racing clear and rolling home into the bottom right corner.
Knowing they needed to score twice to extend their stay in Qatar, Denmark set about that task and they were initially handed a direct route back into the contest in the 71st minute, Harry Souttar downing substitute Kasper Dolberg in the box, but the linesman's flag went up for offsides.
In stoppage time, Cornelius looped a header onto the roof of the net, but it would do him and his side no good as the Socceroos secured a historic victory.
Player of the match: Mathew Leckie
Scored the goal that will long live in Australian soccer lore. Showed great composure with his finish after being played in by McGree, proving he wasn't afraid of the moment.
