The Socceroos Can Make It to the Next Round in the World Cup; Here's How

Can the Socceroos make it to the next round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup?

If you weren't able to catch the World Cup match last night between Australia and Denmark, let us spoil the ending for you by telling you it was a draw.

Australia is in Group C with France, Denmark and Peru, and has yet to score a win after losing to France in the first match 2-1. Group stages see each team playing a single match against the three other countries in their group with the top two teams by points advancing to the next stage.

But, while Australia wasn't able to secure a much-needed win, they still have a very possible chance at landing a spot in the next stage: the Round of 16.

First, they need to win against Peru.

Given that Australia is now in third place with one point from last night's draw, they need a win against Peru on Wednesday 27 June (12am AEST) to even give them a chance in the next stage.

Then, France needs to beat Denmark.

A win against Peru won't solidify Australia's place without France also beating Denmark. This is because Denmark is sitting on four points. Even a draw between France and Denmark will mean Australia's elimination.

Australia has got to hope Denmark doesn't score too much. Or, the 'Roos need to get a few against Peru.

If the above outcomes do happen, it still might not be enough. While Australia and Denmark would both have four points in the group, FIFA won't simply let them both through.

When table points are equal, FIFA looks at the 'goal difference'. That is determined by the number of goals each team scores throughout their matches and subtracted by the goals scored against them. In this case, Denmark has a goal difference of two while Australia has minus one. One potential outcome favourable to the Socceroos could be Australia scoring two goals and leaving Peru goalless, with Denmark scoring nil or France scoring multiple against them.

If they're still equal after that, progression will be determined by how many goals were scored overall. So, a real range of possibilities.

What if Denmark and Australia are still tied with goal difference and goals scored?

This is where things get even more confusing.

If the two most reliable tie-breaking methods aren't able to determine a clear "winner", FIFA resorts to eight other tie-breakers.

In order of importance, these are:

The highest number of points (in a group table).
Goal difference.
Most goals scored overall.
Points obtained in group games between the two teams.
Goal difference from games involving the two teams.
The number of goals scored in games involving the two teams.
Fair play points (these take into account the number of yellow and red cards).
Drawing lots by FIFA.

That last option, if all else fails, means Australia and Denmark will literally partake in a game of chance.

In this rare instance, what could happen is that one of two balls, with paper slips of each country's name attached, will be drawn from a bowl. Whichever is drawn is chosen as the winner to proceed to the next round. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

So, Australia's chance at winning the World Cup (lol), or at least making it out of the group stages (more realistic), is not totally out of reach.