Fifa World Cup 2022: Australia boss hails ‘new golden generation’ as Socceroos reach last 16

Mathew Leckie goal seals upset win over fancied Denmark side, sending their opponents home and Australia into a second-round clash with Argentina

‘Maybe we are talking about a new golden generation now,’ coach Graham Arnold says after matching the achievement of Guus Hiddink’s 2006 team

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Mathew Leckie celebrates scoring Australia’s goal against Denmark. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:51am, 1 Dec 2022Updated: 10:58am, 1 Dec 2022

Australia coach Graham Arnold hailed the Socceroos’ “remarkable” achievement after they reached the last 16 of the World Cup for only the second time with a 1-0 win over Denmark.

Winger Mathew Leckie scored the winner on the hour with a smart run and finish to extinguish Denmark’s Qatar hopes at the group stage.

Australia, who made the knockout rounds in 2006 when they had Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Viduka in their ranks, have now won back-to-back World Cup games for the first time.

They progressed to the knockouts behind holders France in Group D and will play Argentina, the winners of Group C.

Socceroos fans celebrate at Federation Square in Melbourne after Australia score their goal. Photo: Reuters

The current Australia team do not have the stars of yesteryear but they make up for it with spirit and hard work, and showed flashes of quality in a strangely subdued encounter.