Cahill 69        Pantelic 84

                                                                            Holman 73

Two goals in four second-half minutes fired Australia to victory against Serbia, but both teams were eliminated.

Serbia were furious that two late decisions went against them, when a draw would have seen them qualify. But they only had themselves to blame for missing a number of chances. The best fell to Milos Krasic, who was booed throughout after a terrible early dive.

Krasic fired high and wide after rounding Aussie keeper Mark Schwarzer, who then produced a wonder save from Branislav Ivanovic’s close-range right-foot shot.

Tim Cahill’s header and Brett Holman’s superb run and 25-yard drive changed the match. But Serbia still could have salvaged things. Marko Pantelic pulled a goal back after a rare Schwarzer fumble and two minutes later was flagged offside when he scored again.

Then Nemanja Vidic’s header struck Cahill on the arm in the area, only for the referee to adjudge the handball unintentional.