World Cup Group D madness, as Australia and Tunisia pull off stunners

France's setback was a little more comprehensible when considering the decision by coach Didier Deschamps to rest stars Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Greizmann and several other starters from his initial lineup, with qualification booked and top spot in the group virtually assured.

For Australia, the road to advancing was even more dramatic as a second-half strike from Matt Leckie gave the Socceroos a second-straight win and a crack at the elimination rounds.

Once the draw was made it seemed like it was destined to be one of the more straightforward groups, a straight fight between the two European side, with Denmark regarded as a solid outsider to win the entire tournament after its impressive Euros performance.

Going into the tournament Australia was widely regarded as one of the weakest teams, having narrowly scraped into the event courtesy of an Asian playoff, then an intercontinental playoff against Peru, clinched in a penalty shootout.

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