Wallabies set up historic semi-finals line-up breaking Scottish hearts in 35-34 victory

A controversial last-gasp penalty by Bernard Foley earned Australia a 35-34 victory at Twickenham on Sunday that broke Scottish hearts and sent the Wallabies into a World Cup semi-final against Argentina.

Scotland had been on the verge of a stunning upset with 79 minutes on the clock, but South African referee Craig Joubert awarded Australia a penalty for offside, despite the ball appearing to come off a Wallaby shirt.

Amid a cacophony of boos, fly-half Foley kept his composure to split the posts and ensure the World Cup would have four southern hemisphere semi-finalists for the first time.

“That’s a penalty and that’s how it works – that’s life,” Australia coach Michael Cheika said, to another chorus of boos and howls. “You’ve still got to kick it.”

New Zealand and South Africa will meet in the other semi-final, both games back at Twickenham next weekend.

The battle between the winners of the Rugby Championship and the side who finished last in the Six Nations after losing every game looked a mismatch on paper but there was nothing between them in what developed into an epic see-saw battle.

Australia were totally dominant for the first 10 minutes and were rewarded when a surging run by centre Tevita Kuridrani set up winger Adam Ashley-Cooper to score the opening try.

It looked ominous for Scotland but they roared back into the game, earning a Greig Laidlaw penalty then going ahead when Peter Horne picked the ball up at a ruck 10 metres out and, with the Wallaby defence momentarily frozen, strolled over the line.