Wild scenes at Adelaide Casino and Arkaba Hotel as Socceroos complete stunning upset victory to advance in World Cup

The Premier has answered calls for a live, family friendly site to watch Australia’s clash with Argentina, as SA celebrated the Socceroos’ win in style at several Adelaide venues overnight.

• Leckie breaks down goal that sparked Cup mayhem

A number of Adelaide venues came to life in stunning fashion overnight as loyal Socceroos fans went wild as Australia complete a stunning upset victory over Denmark in the FIFA World Cup.

While many South Australians slept through the historic 1-nil win - that will see Australia advance to the knockout stage of the tournament - others savoured the moment.

Not quite Fed Square, but #Adelaide#Socceroos supporters getting behind the lads, especially hometown hero @craig_goodwin11 ahead our biggest match in 16 years. Come on! #AUSDEN#FIFAWorldCup@[e-mail]/4eBdQpmrKP

— Rob Greenwood (@robgreenwood1) November 30, 2022

SkyCity Adelaide was draped in green and gold well before the early kick-off time of 1.30am and appeared to be the most popular watch party for Adelaide fans.

Fuelled with excitement from the outset, fans had to wait more than hour before Australia broke through and delirium ensued.

Mathew Leckie of Australia celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Australia and Denmark in Qatar. Picture: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

The SCENES when Leckie scored here at the Arkaba in Adelaide!

Btw just like to point out that this group is predominantly made up of AFL fans too.

They’re getting on the bandwagon as well. Love it.#Socceroospic.twitter.com/uRevarao1w

— Christian Marchetti (@ChristianM29) November 30, 2022

There were similar scenes at the Arkaba Hotel, which has become a popular venue to watch major sporting events.

Video captured the moment Mathew Leckie scored and mayhem ensued at the hotel with fans climbing on tables and strangers embraced in celebration.

Soccer fans at the Arkaba Hotel celebrate Australia getting through to the knockout stages of the World Cup.

While the scenes weren’t anything compared to the chaos at Federation Square in Melbourne, it prompted calls from some to organise a similar watch party in Adelaide when the Socceroos play their Round of 16 match at 5.30am on Sunday morning.

One person on Twitter flagged the Telstra Plaza at Adelaide Oval as the ideal location.

“Now replace the screen with @Socceroos Rd16 game on Sunday morning and I’m sure Adelaide will be there lining the street! @PMalinauskasMP @TKoutsantonisMP please make it happen,” they said.

In an Advertiser poll, we asked where the site should be, with five suggestions: Adelaide Oval, Victoria Square, Hindmarsh Stadium, Botanic Park and Elder Park. Almost half of those who responded so far voted for Adelaide Oval.

And Premier Peter Malinauskas has answered those calls, confirming on ABC Adelaide that Adelaide Oval’s Telstra Plaza will be used as a live – family friendly – site for Australia’s clash with Argentina.

“The state government is going to work with the stadium management authority to facilitate it. We want it to be family friendly, not that I think that’s a problem at 5.30am on a Sunday, I don’t imagine too many people will be looking for a drink at that time at a live site,” he said.

He said security would be on-site to quell behaviour, such as the lighting of flares.

“Between the stadium management authority, security, the government and SAPOL we can have a bit of an effort to ensure that behaviour isn’t dominant,” he said.

Mr Malinauskas said licensed venues could also apply for exemptions to be able to open their doors early.

“So if you are more inclined to have something bubbly at 5.30 on a Sunday, you can have that option where pubs choose to open,” he said.

It comes as Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has put the hard word on Australia’s Prime Minister in the wake of Thursday morning’s historic victory– and demanded a day off for the nation to celebrate.