Albion goalkeeper Mathew Ryan's World Cup hopes with Australia in Russia are hanging by a thread.

The Socceroos kept their chances of qualifying for the last 16 alive with a 1-1 draw against Denmark in their second group game.

But their fate is out of their hands and dependent on a favour from France.

Ryan and his team-mates must beat Peru - who are already out - in their final group game in Sochi on Tuesday (3pm).

They also need France - who are already through - to defeat Denmark in their simultaneous clash in Moscow.

It will then come down to goal difference or goals scored to determine who goes through.

The next criteria, head-to-head, will be immaterial after Thursday's 1-1 stalemate with the Danes so it could even come down to a fair play points system based on red and yellow cards or, failing that, drawing lots.

All scenarios are plausible. They could, for example, finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored if the Aussies beat Peru 1-0 and the Danes lost to the French 2-1.