Nuremberg, Germany (My Sportsbook) - Harry Kewell scored the equalizer in the 79th minute to help Australia earn a 2-2 draw with Croatia and earn the necessary point en route to advancing to the Round of 16 on the final day of Group F play.

Kewell almost missed the match for insulting a referee, but was cleared only days before by a FIFA disciplinary committee to net his first World Cup goal.

Australia, which finished the group stage with a 1-1-1 record, is heading to the Round of 16 for the first time in its history. Australia will now play Italy, which won Group E, on June 26.

Kewell's decisive tally came from five yards out off of a set play. Marco Bresciano kicked the ball into the penalty area where John Aloisi flicked it to an open Kewell in the goal area. Kewell then buried the ball just inside the far post to highlight the first competitive meeting ever between the two countries.

Croatia finished the match with nine men, one more than its counterpart.

Croatia, which had not found the back of the net all tournament, opened up the scoring right away in the second minute thanks to a goal by Darijo Srna. Mark Viduka fouled Nico Kovac, allowing Srna to capitalize on a free-kick up high from 23 yards out.

Before the intermission, Australia knotted the affair at one via a penalty kick converted by Craig Moore in the 38th minute. The Newcastle defender went to the spot after Stjepan Tomas was whistled for a handball inside the box. Making matters worse, Croatia's Igor Tudor was handed a yellow card for arguing the call.

Moore fired the ball in the left side of the net, marking the eighth goal of the tournament coming from a penalty kick.

Kovac put Croatia back ahead in the 57th minute, taking advantage of a Zeljko Kalac mistake. From 19 yards out, Kovac fired a low shot which hit the hands of goalkeeper Kalac and trickled over the line.