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Oliver Jones

Sunderland star seals World Cup progression after Australia see off Denmark

Australia have managed to make it through to the knockout stage for the first time in 16 years as they won 1-0 against Denmark, a result enough to secure their place in the last 16, meaning Sunderland's Bailey Wright's tournament continues.

Denmark's early exit is a surprise after their deep run in the 2020 European Championships but after beating Tunisia 1-0 last week, the Socceroos gave themselves enough of a chance to qualify for the knockouts for the first time since 2006.

It took Australia until the hour mark to break the deadlock - just minutes after Tunisia found the net against France meaning they were heading home. Middlesbrough midfielder Riley McGree found Matthew Leckie with a great pass and after a few turns and tricks, he floated it into the bottom right-hand corner.

READ MORE: Kyril Louis-Dreyfus' long-term Sunderland vision laid bare with clear plan to build for the future

Sunderland star Wright also managed to make an appearance off the bench in the 73rd minute, as he replaced McGree, to mark his first match of the tournament and his first ever at a World Cup despite being part of Ange Postecoglou's 23-man squad for the 2014 edition.

Despite a 4-1 loss in their opening match of the tournament to France, the Socceroos will now play against the winner of Group C which will be decided tonight when Poland face Argentina and Mexico face Saudi Arabia.

Group D winners France will face the runners-up of Group C despite their surprise 1-0 loss against Tunisia this afternoon, the Tunisians being the only team in the group to hold the French to a clean sheet at the tournament so far.

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