Al-Wakrah, Qatar - Mathew Leckie scored the all important goal to fire Australia into the World Cup last 16 after a 1-0 win over Denmark, with Group D rivals Tunisia denied despite beating champions France by the same score on Wednesday.

France, who had already qualified for the knock-out stage with two wins, ended up top despite making nine changes and producing a poor performance.

Australia finish on six points alongside France after Leckie netted an excellent solo goal on the hour, just two minutes after Tunisia had taken the lead in the other game through Wahbi Khazri.

Tunisia would have been through had Australia drawn, while shot-shy Denmark also goes out, having been backed as dark horses for the tournament by some pundits.

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Australia are into the last 16 for only the second time after 2006.

"I'm proud, exhausted," said Leckie. "We will make the most of it tonight but then it is all about recovery."

But coach Graham Arnold said there would no be party to mark making the knock-out rounds.

"No celebrations, no emotions, sleep, no social media," he said. "Their effort was incredible, a lot of belief, a lot of hard work."

The Aussies made a nervous start – with the fans also struggling to create an atmosphere – and Denmark had two decent chances inside the first 10 minutes.

Winger Jesper Lindstrom continued to trouble the Australian defense as the Danes, who switched to four at the back, made most of the early running.

But the European championship semifinalists badly needed a striker with an eye for goal after Martin Braithwaite again struggled in Al Wakrah.

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Riley McGree then went close for the Socceroos, who knew a draw would be enough if Tunisia did not beat France. They came out of their shell a little more as the game went on and Jackson Irvine clipped over early in the second half.

News then filtered through from Doha that Tunisia had scored and almost immediately Leckie reacted. Australia broke at pace and the winger twisted Joakim Mæhle in knots before finding the far corner through the defender's legs.

Graham Arnold's side then had a big let off when the otherwise excellent Harry Souttar was adjudged to have conceded a penalty by fouling Kasper Dolberg, only for the offside flag to save him.

It was the last scare for the Socceroos before the full time whistle blew, sending those in the stadium – and many thousands more at home, despite the game finishing at 4 AM – into a delirious frenzy.

France will face the second-placed side in Group C on Sunday and Australia will meet the Group C winners on Saturday.