Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay)
LINEUPS:
Australia (451): Federici, Wilkshire (Milligan 71'), Beauchamp, Neill, Moore, Valari, Holman (Bresciano 81'), Cahill, Kennedy (Rukavytsya 45'), Culina, Emerton
Serbia (433): Isailovic, Ivanovic, Kolarov, Vidic (Rukavina 64'), Lukovic, Ninkovic, Stankovic (Kacar 79'), Kuzmanovic, Zigic, Pantelic, Krasic (Petrovic 57')
Both teams had two changes to their lineups including starts for goalkeepers Adam Federici and Bojan Isailovic. The other player swaps - Beauchamp for Carney and Pantelic for Jovanovic - were needed cover for suspensions.
Serbia were able to end on a high note despite a straight red to Milos Ninkovic in the 54th minute, leading to an Australian penalty that tied the game 1-1. It all started when the big bodies of Emerton and Vidic came together with the Aussie winning the ball and starting the play that led to Jason Culina being fouled from behind. The resulting penalty dispatched by Culina was almost saved by Isailovic and sent the match into several minutes of niggling tackles and substitutions,
The Serbians had taken the lead only five minutes in when Krasic's cross was put away by Nikola Zigic, and it was this striker who scored his third of the World Cup just after the hour mark when Ivanovic this time angled the good feed for him to finish on.
Prior to the red card and penalty Serbia were enjoying their lions share of scoring chances but Lukovic, Zigic and Pantolic were all foiled by Federici. For the Australians it was tough going but they did have a last minute chance to equalise through substitute Mark Bresciano whose header was well saved.
Australia 1 - 2 Serbia
Goalscorers:
SRB Zigic 5' (2)
AUS Culina 55'
SRB Zigic 62' (3)
Discipline:
AUS Kennedy 45'
SRB Ninkovic 54' (off)
SRB Petrovic 58'
AUS Emerton 71'
Man of the Match:
SRB Nikola Zigic
| GROUP D | ||||||||
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Ghana | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 7 |
| Germany | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 5 |
| Serbia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -5 | 4 |
| Australia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
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