‘Fairytale comes true' as Socceroos seal automatic World Cup qualification for first time in 12 years
The Socceroos will head to a sixth consecutive World Cup after beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 to complete an incredible turnaround in qualifying.
After their upset 1-0 win over Japan, the Socceroos only needed to avoid defeat by five goals or more in their final game in Jeddah to seal automatic World Cup finals qualification for the first time in 12 years.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Socceroos book spot into 2026 World Cup.
Saudi forward Abdulrahman Al-Aboud scored in the 19th minute at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium to make things tense.
But striker Mitch Duke teed up Connor Metcalfe to equalise in the 42nd minute, before putting Australia in front in the 48th.
In his 100th appearance, goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan denied Salem Al-Dawsari from the penalty spot in the 84th minute to seal victory.
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).
'It'd be nice if I could work out how to freeze time,' Ryan said.
'You sit down together as a group and you work out how you can be successful. The final moment where it comes — that feeling — that's why we keep going and going for moments like this, the dedication, the sacrifice.'
The result underlines the stellar job Tony Popovic, unbeaten as national team manager, has done since taking over in September, after Graham Arnold claimed just a point from Australia's first two games.
'Very satisfying, right now. I'm sure it'll sink in as the days go by,' Popovic said of the 'very special' accomplishment.
'It's been a very intense period since I've joined and I've loved it so far.
'We've done the first part, qualifying automatically, and now the next part is to be bigger and better for the World Cup.'
Herve Renard's charges join fourth-placed Indonesia in the next round of qualifiers.
Martin Boyle dragged a shot wide in the 18th minute and Saudi Arabia immediately took the ball up the other end and scored.
Attacking maestro Al-Dawsari, so often a thorn in Australia's side, lifted the ball to Firas Al-Buraikan then burst forward to get it back.
Al-Dawsari then squared the ball for Al-Aboud to tap home on the goal line via a deflectio off Ryan's glove.
Australia responded when Duke took possession on the wing then threaded a neat square ball inside for FC St. Pauli midfielder Metcalfe, who nailed his first Socceroos goal with aplomb.
Three minutes into the second half, Boyle whipped in a free kick and Duke rose to glance home his first Socceroos goal since January 2024.
Ali Majrashi received a straight red card for denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity on Boyle in the 52nd minute but it was overturned following a lengthy VAR review.
Saudi Arabia received a late penalty when Jason Geria was ruled to have brought down Al-Dawsari but Ryan palmed the spot-kick away.
'Sometimes fairytales come true,' Ryan said.
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