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Unfortunately for Australia, Germany's 1-0 win over Ghana in the other final Group D match - which was played at the same time - meant the Socceroos missed out on a place in the last 16 on goal difference as their 4-0 loss to Germany in their opening match really came back to haunt them.

Australia won only its second-ever match in the World Cup finals by downing Serbia and although the Socceroos ended the campaign on four points - the same tally as they managed in Germany four years ago - this time it was not good enough to make it through to the last 16.

But at least Australia bowed out on a high after withstanding a first-half barrage from Serbia before gradually taking control after the break as Tim Cahill produced another trademark header to score the opening goal in the 69th minute before the much-improved Brett Holman finished off the Serbs with one of the goals of the tournament four minutes later.

But any chance Australia had of making it to the last 16 on goal difference ended with a goalkeeping howler from Schwarzer in the dying minutes.

However, even by the time the Socceroos hit the lead against Serbia, Germany was already one goal to the good of Ghana and the only way Australia could have qualified for the second round - as it did for the first time in World Cup history four years ago - was if Ghana had beaten the Germans.

A Germany win meant Australia had to make up five goals to catch up Ghana on goal difference and despite the Black Stars' defeat and the Socceroos' own second-half heroics against Serbia - which delighted the pro-Australian crowd at Nelspruit - the Socceroos ended up missing out on a spot in the last 16 by just three goals after finishing in equal second place with the Black Stars on four points.

Germany topped the group with six points and Serbia finished last with three.

Knowing they had to win this match to have any chance of making it to the last 16, coach Pim Verbeek picked an attacking line-up with Cahill back from suspension and giant target man Josh Kennedy restored to the starting line-up for the first time in the tournament, as the hero of the Ghana game, Holman, was left out to make way for Cahill's return.

But with experienced pair Harry Kewell and Craig Moore both out suspended, Australia made a nervous start as Serbia dominated the opening half with 57 percent of possession to just 43 as well as managing 11 shots to six for the Socceroos.

Australia did not even have a shot on goal until Cahill headed wide in the 13th minute as Serbia's slick passing in midfield threatened to break open the Socceroos defence.

In fact, the Socceroos had Schwarzer to thank for going into half-time on level terms at 0-0 after he first saved from Serbian dangerman Milos Krasic in the fifth wide after the CSKA Moscow star had snuck in behind the Socceroos' defence.

Schwarzer then made another great save in the 23rd minute to block a shot from Serbia's Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic

Cahill had Australia's best chance of the first half when he headed wide in the 32nd minute before Serbia's giant striker Nikola Zigic wasted a free header directly in front of goal and just metres out minutes later.

But while Serbia had been the better side in the first half, Australia - sensing its chance - was a different side after the break.

After Marc Bresciano came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with a stinging shot in the 64th minute - which was saved by Serbian keeper Vladimir Stojkovic - Australia took the lead five minutes later thanks to a trademark Cahill goal.

The Everton star rose above two Serbian defenders, including Manchester United star Nemanja Vidic, to head home a great cross from Luke Wilkshire to score his first goal at this World Cup and his 21st in just 42 appearances for his country.

And when Holman scored a sensational strike four minutes later after collecting the ball nearly halfway and letting fly - to finish as Australia's leading scorer at this World Cup with two goals after also scoring the goal against Ghana - the Aussie fans were jubilant and sensing the chance of making a great escape and catching Ghana on goal difference.

But those hopes ended when Schwarzer undid all his good work in the 84th minute when he allowed a soft shot from Zoran Tosic to escape from his grasp, which allowed Marko Pantelic to score with an easy tap in.

That goal deflated the Aussies and lifted Serbia, which finished by far the stronger of the two teams but failed to score the extra goal it needed to qualify ahead of Ghana, as both sides left Nelspruit knowing they had failed to make it to the last 16.

Australia: 2 (Cahill 69, Holman 73)
Serbia: 1 (Pantelic 84)

Crowd: 37,836 at Mmobela Stadium, Nelspruit

  

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