Harry Kewell struck 11 minutes from time to send Australia through the knockout stages of the World Cup after a 2-2 draw with Croatia.

But Premiership official Graham Poll will make the headlines after booking Croatia defender Josip Simunic twice in the second half before failing to send him off.

Simunic eventually saw red after bizarrely picking up a third booking in stoppage time, but thankfully for Poll his mistake did not cost Australia the chance of reaching the last 16 for the first time in their history.

Instead that role almost went to Zeljko Kalac as with the scores level at 1-1 - and Australia comfortably heading through to the last 16 as group runners-up - the veteran goalkeeper made a hash of a 56th minute shot from Niko Kovac.

Kalac was selected ahead of regular number one Mark Schwarzer for the final group game and it was a move that almost backfired on coach Guus Hiddink as he blocked a low strike from the Croatia midfielder, but could do nothing as the ball spun back off the turf and over his outstretched body.

But Kewell's equaliser in the 79th minute settled Australia's nerves and confirmed their finish as runners-up to Brazil in Group F.

The Liverpool midfielder was lurking in space on the back post and when substitute John Aloisi flicked on a deep cross on, he controlled the ball neatly before dispatching a low shot into the back of the net.

Earlier in the match Darijo Srna had given Croatia a dream start when he rifled a second minute free-kick into the back of the net from 25 yards.

Australia took some time to find their feet, but equalised seven minutes before the break when Brett Emerton's cross struck the outstretched arm of Stjepan Tomas and Craig Moore converted the penalty.

In the closing minutes both sides were reduced to ten men when Dario Simic and Emerton were dismissed after both picked up second yellow cards, and although Simunic followed suit, he was given a temporary reprieve before being sent for an early bath by Poll as confusion reigned at the final whistle.