- Victory away secures Aussies' spot in 2026 tournament
- The Socceroos bounced back after conceding an early goal in the 19th minute.
The Socceroos The country secured qualification for a sixth successive World Cup following a narrow 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in their last group match, although the win was briefly overshadowed when one of the opposing side’s key players received a red card but managed to get it rescinded later.
Following their surprising 1-0 victory against Japan, the Socceroos only had to lose by fewer than five goals when playing in Jeddah to secure direct qualification for the World Cup finals for the first time in twelve years.
In the 19th minute at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Saudi striker Abdulrahman Al-Aboud found the back of the net, intensifying the atmosphere.
However, striker Mitch Duke set up Connor Metcalfe to level the score in the 42nd minute, before scoring himself to put Australia ahead in the 48th minute.
During his 100th match, goalkeeper and team captain Mat Ryan saved Salem Al-Dawsari's penalty kick in the 84th minute, securing the win.
Exactly a year before the start of next year's finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Australia (19 points, +9 goal difference) qualify in the second automatic spot behind Japan (23 points, +27) and ahead of Saudi Arabia (13 points, -1).
The outcome highlights the impressive work Tony Popovic has accomplished since he took charge of the national team without suffering any defeats. This comes after Graham Arnold managed only one point from Australia’s initial two matches.
Herve Renard's team will move on to face fourth-placed Indonesia in the subsequent round of qualifiers.
Alessandro Circati, who plays as a defender, was substituted with Jason Geria, whereas Duke and Patrick Yazbeck were brought forward instead of Brandon Borrello and Ryan Teague.
In the 18th minute, Martin Boyle failed to score and sent the attempt astray. Immediately afterward, Saudi Arabia seized control of the ball and capitalized with a goal at the opposite end.
Star playmaker Al-Dawsari, who has frequently troubled the Australian team, sent the ball to Firas Al-Buraikan before surging forward to reclaim possession.
Al-Dawsari then played the ball across for Al-Aboud to gently push into the net at the goal line.
Musab Al-Juwayr sent his shot soaring over the crossbar in the 33rd minute prior to Australia’s reply.
Duke claimed control of the wing before delivering a perfect cross for Metcalfe, who confidently scored his inaugural goal for the Socceroos.
Al-Dawsari hammered a long-distance shot narrowly wide of the post during first-half stoppage time.
Australia went ahead when Boyle delivered a free kick with precision, and Duke jumped to direct his header into the net for his inaugural Socceroos goal since January 2024.
Ali Majrushi was shown a direct red card in the 52nd minute for preventing an obvious goalscoring chance involving Boyle, but this decision was later reversed after a prolonged video assistant referee (VAR) assessment.
When Jason Geria was deemed to have fouled Al-Dawsari, Saudi Arabia was awarded a last-minute penalty. However, Ryan saved the resulting spot kick.
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