The bonus-point victory kept alive the Wallabies' faint quarterfinal hopes. Their final Pool C match moved them into second place and the second quarterfinal spot, and they will have to stay in France for another week without another game guaranteed to wait to see if Fiji overtakes them.
Fiji is one point behind, and needs to take only one point against Portugal next Sunday in Toulouse to advance and send Australia home.
Portugal couldn't put Australia out of its misery on Sunday but it warmed the hearts in a packed Stade Geoffroy-Guichard with its daring and style.
Os Lobos scored two tries and had two others ruled out. But, crucially, when Australia was reduced to 14 and 13 men after an hour, the Portuguese couldn't finish numerous chances.
Related News