Remarkable and ridiculous, but the Aussies are through. Kewell is the hero. What a performance, what a match.

NOW POLL SHOWS SIMUNIC HIS THIRD YELLOW CARD AND SENDS HIM OFF

Viduka puts it in the net - and the goal is ruled out. Viduka hugs Poll for no obvious reason.

Now there are two balls on the pitch. What a crazy, crazy game.

Aloisi goes to the corner flag.

Three added minutes signalled. Australia have a free kick deep in Croatian territory.

Now Bresciano makes a good block from Srna and wins a free kick.

Kalac drops a corner and Viduka comes to his rescue with a fine block.

WHAT IS HAPPENING? Simunic is booked, seemingly for the second time, for tugging back Kennedy - and he is not sent off.

That is Cahill, volleying Prso's cross away.

Now it's all Croatia on the attack and Australia's unlikely defenders are Kewell, Kennedy and Cahill, along with more familiar figures like Neill and Moore.

Well, if this game doesn't make football huge in Australia, nothing will.

Kalac claims a cross, but rolls it out straight to a Croatian - but Leko panics and belts his shot over.

How many more twists and turns can this match have?

ANOTHER RED CARD. Now it's Brett Emerton for handball. His second yellow and Poll was probably right.

And off the line. Craig Moore is the Aussie hero after Tudor controlled a long ball and beat the keeper.

Did Croatia's hopes disappear with Simic?

A cynical trip and Graham Poll showed the red card for the second time in this WOrld Cup. Simic also laid a hand on the ref, and it could have been that that made Poll's mind up.

And a red card - Simic is off. He hacked down Kewell and that's his second yellow card.

The flying Emerton heads away at the back post and the action just doesn't stop. This could be the best match of the World Cup so far.

Croatia have to gamble now and striker Klasnic replaces defender Tomas.

In the other game in this group, it is now 4-1 to Brazil.

To a huge cheer from Socceroos fans, Modric's pass sails out for a goal kick.

Big Kennedy comes back to head away. He's a presence in both boxes.

And once again, we're back to end-to-end stuff. It's compelling.

Kennedy counter-attacks, Bresciano supports, but runs into Kovac.

Neill heads away Babic's free kick. Then, 30 seconds later, he hooks Prso's cross away.

A booking for Emerton for delaying a free kick - and he is out of the next match. If Australia have one.

The problem for them now is that the Socceroos are overloaded with strikers and now it is Croatia who need to score. Can Kennedy, Aloisi, Kewell and co defend?

And with apologies to Croatian fans, Australia really do deserve that.

Fantastic finish from Kewell, who was so calm when the ball dropped to him in the box. Bresciano crossed, Aloisi won the flick-on and Kewell did the rest.

It's Harry Kewell at the back post, and they deserve that.

GOAL! Australia are level

As he did against Japan, Kennedy is making a real nuisance of himself in the box.

And Kalac safely gathers a low shot on the turn from Modric.

Thrilling, edge-of-the-seat stuff and so far, Australia deserve to go through. As it stands, they won't.

Emerton drills it into the box, but it rebounds away and Prso, alone in attack, leads the counter attack.

Bresciano takes, Kennedy wins the header but Tomas handballed - and it should have been a penalty.

Last change for the Socceroos. Off goes Chipperfield, on comes the giant Kennedy.

Now Bresciano wins a free kick right on the edge of the Croatia box.

It's one-way traffic as an Emerton shot is blocked by a Croat foot.

Neill with the long, high throw. Tudor heads away.

And Australia are so, so close to an equaliser now. Croatia, meanwhile, replace striker Olic with Modric.

Bresciano centred, a defender got a touch, Aloisi and Cahill slid in and the keeper did really well to cling on.

Is that over the line? No - Pletikosa was brave there.

And now it's off the line by Darijo Srna - and again Kewell is the man denied from the resulting corner.

Brilliant save! It's Pletikosa to stop Kewell's first-time shot.

Now he comes on in place of Sterjovski, who faded after a decent first half.

Hiddink is preparing to bring on Bresciano in his second swap.

And Pletikosa is booked for time-wasting. Four Croatians booked today so far.

Twenty minutes or so for someone in the Australia camp to make himself a hero.

Olic thinks he has sprung the offside trap, but he is halted by an offside flag.

But Prso is just as important at the other end. He makes yards and uses up time with another strong run.

Kewell leads the counter-attack and he is becoming a real influence. Unfortunately for Australia, Sterjovski then loses it.

Emerton goes long, but Aloisi is penalised for his challenge in the box.

Chipperfield crosses, Croatia clear but the pressure continues. Viduka has a go, but the offside flag is up - perhaps against Cahill.

Croatia make a change now. Leko comes on for Niko Kranjcar.

Nice move from Croatia, involving Prso and Babic before Kewell appears in defence to win it back for Australia.

Emerton takes, Viduka wins the header but he can't control it.

Cahill thinks he got elbowed in the face. He wins a free kick, more for obstruction.

Hididnk brings on John Aloisi for Vince Grella. Another striker on - the intent is clear.

The two No. 10s, Kovac and Kewell, get a ticking off.

But Chipperfield curls it into the wall. Not a great effort.

And what a position for a free kick this is, ideal for a left-footer and about 22 yards out.

But here comes Kewell. He finds Viduka, but is fouled in the process by Simunic. He is booked.

Now Brazil lead 3-1 through Gilberto. It's a straight fight between Australia and Croatia for second place in this group - and so far the Europeans are winning it.

Emerton takes, Tudor jumps well to head away and Australia haven't made much of corners so far.

Emerton plays a one-two with Viduka and wins a corner off Simunic.

Srna's long ball is aimed at Prso. Neill tidies up well.

Fine defending by the wing back Babic, tracking Sterjovski back.

Despair in the Socceroos' support. They need a goal now. Brazil are 2-1 up against Japan now, courtesy of Juninho.

Now Croatia are in pole position to go through unless Australia can equalise again.

And now Hiddink must wish he'd picked Schwarzer.

The Croatian captain did really well to fashion himself a chance to shoot, but Kalac parried it lamely and it bounced over him and in.

GOAL - and what a mistake by Kalac. Kovac's shot was well struck, but he should have saved it.

Kewell leads the counter-attack with Viduka charging up to join him. He goes 40 yards, beats three but is stopped by the fourth.

Srna pulls it back to Kranjcar for the shot, but it's blocker.

Srna goes down the right touchline and down under Chipperfield's challenge. Free kick.

Olic goes down on the edge of the box, but that's no free kick.

But Srna picks out Niko Kovac, who heads over the bar. He won the header in the six-yard box, though, so that has to be a good chance.

A couple of free kicks go Croatia's way, and now the big men come up.

Sterjovski has a go from the edge of the box. Tudor gets in a firm block on his shot.

Chipperfield drills in a low cross and Kovac, banned if Croatia go through, clears for a corner.

Cahill is fouled by Kovac, who was late, and that seemed to hurt the Aussie.

His shot is powerful and dipping, but just too high.

Srna takes charge. He bends it in and Cahill made a fine defensive header. It falls to Kranjcar on the edge of the box

The strength of Prso earns Croatia a free kick in a decent position to cross. Emerton conceded it.

Then Emerton powers forward, but he slices his shot wide.

Moore stands tall at the near post to head Srna's cross away.

Diabolical corner from Kranjcar but breathless, end-to-end stuff so far this half.

Excellent skill from Babic in the Socceroos box. Emerton defends well, and it is a corner.

Neill charges forward, finds Sterjovski and Tomas meets the cross. Great run from Neill, though.

But now Australia are back on the offensive with first Emerton and then Sterjovski. His cross is cut out at the near post.

Straight away, Prso wins a free kick as the Croats come forward.

Croatia to get the second half going. They need a win to reach the last 16 themselves. A draw could suffice for the Socceroos.

Half time, and a terrific half here. Srna put Croatia ahead, Moore equalised from the spot and Australia, if they can keep this up, will qualify.

Cahill, at full stretch, just can't quite get the final touch to Kewell's deep cross.

And Brazil are level. Great news for the Socceroos, and not bad for Croatia, either. Diet fan Ronaldo got the goal.

Viduka comes out to the right, but Simunic defends well against the Socceroos captain.

Two added minutes at the end of this first half.

Srna takes, Kalac punches unconvcingly, and Croatia press again. Australia have to weather this storm.

Now Moore sticks with Prso, but the big Croat wins a corner.

Now Srna comes forward and thumps his shot into the shins of Grella

And at the other end, Prso wins a flick-on, advances on goal and fires just over - he nearly restored Croatia's lead.

Viduka wins the header, but it is at Pletikosa.

Sterjovski brings the Socceroos forward. Then Kewell finds Chipperfield on the left, he turns Srna twice and crosses.

Cahill goes for the spectacular, but can't really connect with his attempted overhead kick from Sterjovski's cross.

No shock that Srna is the man to take it. Kalac, untroubled, spills it and it almost drops back into his own net. Nervy moment.

Kranjcar hooks it forward and Moore has to concede the corner.

Not many decisions have gone Australia's way, but an absolutely vital one did. The ref was right, though.

He sent the keeper the wrong way and now, as it stands, Australia will go through

GOAL - Fine penalty from Moore. Australia are level!

Great spot fromt the ref and Tudor is booked for his protests.

PENALTY - Emerton crosses, Cahill is pushed in the back and it's a spot kick - but it's given for handball against Tomas.

Babic, meanwhile, tackles Kewell and brings the ball out of defence with aplomb.

But Chipperfield only finds the dependable Prso at the near post.

Sterjovski crosses, Viduka slides in, the ball just doesn't sit up for a shot, but he earns a corner.

Well, everything in the group is going wrong for Australia at the minute, and yet their performance has given them reasons to be positive.

Prso gets to the byline and crosses, but Culina is back to help out.

Srna is alert to head out Grella's cross. Then Kewell crosses, Cahill tumbles and the keeper claims.

And a shock elsewhere in the group - Japan lead. Bad news for both these teams and as it stands, Australia are bottom of the group.

SO CLOSE! Culina comes forward, makes himself room to shoot and drills just wide from 20 yards.

First booking, and it goes to Simic for trying to delay an Aussie free kick. He tried to walk away with the ball.

Grella crosses it in, Cahill wins the header and the keeper is caught out... but Cahill is penalised. That giant jump might not quite have been legal.

A free kick Australia's way as Srna fouls Chipperfield.

Emerton with the corner, but that's too easy for Pletikosa. Nonetheless, a good couple of minutes for Australia.

Fine save! It was Pletikosa from Kewell's well-hit drive. Cahill set him up.

Culina crosses, Cahill gets up well and heads downwards, but Pletikosa gathers. The first real threat from the Socceroos.

Neill smothers Prso's cross. Another fine bit of play from the Blackburn man.

Ball over the top for Viduka, and that's not his strength. Pletikosa gets there.

Petulant reaction from Srna after Cahill fouls him - he doesn't like the Australian's offer of an hand up.

Kewell dives in the box, but can't get his head on a cross. Croatia, meanwhile, are standing firm in the face of the Aussie onslaught.

Kranjcar can't control Olic's through ball, but noticable how few men the Croats will commit to attack.

Cahill's reverse ball is well cut out by Tomas, who has started well in the Croatian defence.

Neat play from Kranjcar and Srna on the counter, then Olic looks for Kranjcar and Grella tracked him back well from midfield to halt the Croat.

Now Emerton is positive, cutting infield. Sterjovski crosses, Chipperfield goes for it, Kewell crosses and it just doesn't fall for anyone to shoot.

... which Prso heads away at the near post. The Socceroos need to avoid him at set pieces.

Perceptive ball from Grella to send Sterjovski away round the right. Babic tackles him, but at the cost of a corner.

Olic counter-attacks, but Neill, impressive already, wins the throw.

Great move that just breaks down when Viduka looks to play Kewell through on goal.

Croatia, now, are looking fairly negative, but Srna on the right is the danger man if they can find him.

Kewell finds Chipperfield on the left. He returns it to the Liverpool man. He chips forward, Viduka goes down and referee Poll ignores him.

Another free kick against the Socceroos, and Cahill in particular. They may feel they're due a decision.

A Kewell cross is cleared, but Australia are looking the better team now.

Chipperfield with the corner, it falls to to Cahill and the defender blocks his shot really well.

Neill and Sterjovski combine, the latter crosses, Cahill collects and lays it back to Culina who drills his shot wide - and it took a deflection.

Cahill bursts forward to collect Neill's pass, but he is penalised for handball. Good run, though.

Chipperfield comes across to take on the right touchline. Prso heads powerfully away at the near post.

This is better from Australia. More possession, more confidence and a free kick as Sterjovski is fouled.

Harry Kewell tries his luck from distance. He connects well enough, but its some way wide.

Dogged stuff from Emerton, sticking with Kranjcar and eventually robbing him.

Kewell and Viduka try to link up. The Croats, who have been excellent at the back against Brazil and Japan, stop them.

A poor touch from Viduka ends a promising move after Neill strolled forwards from defence.

For the first time, Kewell runs at the defence but Tomas stands tall and does his job.

Prso on the gallop, but the final cross is really poor. Neill reads it.

Grella picks out Viduka on the burst, but he is held up and can't get a shot away.

Emterton gets almost a first touch and finds Cahill, and now Australia can pass it.

Now the influential Srna is back on the attack until the valiant Moore clears.

And that should have been a penalty. Simunic, incidentally, was born in Australia.

But they could have had a penlaty, Viduka turns Simunic and goes to ground- but Graham Poll waves the appeals away.

Terrible start from the Socceroos. They're not in the game yet.

Viduka is penalised for backing it in Tomas. He also took a whack to his nose.

Croatia look good again with Srna again coming forward. Emerton has to shepherd the ball out of play.

Instead we have a stoppage after Srna collided with Chipperfield while competing for a header.

Australia have hardly seen the ball yet, and a bit of possession may calm them down.

That changes everything. As it stands, Croatia go through and Australia are out. Still, they've plenty of time.

Terrific free kick from the wing-back, right into the top corner. Kalac had very little chance and it's a dream start for the Croats.

Srna is the set-piece specialist for the Croats - and what a free kick it is - GOAL

But Croatia advance again, Viduka slides in on Kovac and it is a free kick 25 yards out.

A mistake by Culina, whose clearance is blocked. Moore comes to his rescue, blocking a Srna cross.

A first run for Babic from left wing-back leads Croatia across to Srna on the other flank. Positive stuff.

A false start isn't an auspicious beginning. Now Australia kick off

Australia get us underway. Reaching the World Cup at all was a huge achievement - can they take it one stage further and get to the last 16?

One interesting selection from Hiddink - Mark Schwarzer out, Zeljko Kalac in - will it be a masterstroke?

Effectively it's a shoot-out for second place, unless the unlikely happens and Japan beat Brazil in the group's other game.

Guus Hiddink goes for broke with both Cahill and Kewell in his team. The suspended Robert Kovac misses out for Croatia.

Croatia: Pletikosa, Simic, Tudor, Tomas, Simunic, Srna, Nico Kovac, Babic, Kranjcar, Prso, Olic. Subs: Balaban, Bosnjak, Butina, Didulica, Klasnic, Ivan Leko, Jerko Leko, Modric, Seric, Tokic, Vranjes. Australia: Kalac, Neill, Moore, Chipperfield, Emerton, Grella, Culina, Cahill, Sterjovski, Kewell, Viduka. Subs: Aloisi, Beauchamp, Bresciano, Covic, Kennedy, Lazaridis, Milligan, Popovic, Schwarzer, Skoko, Thompson, Wilkshire. Referee: Graham Poll (England)