Syria’s World Cup hopes ended as Australia come from behind to win

One year, two months and 29 days after Syria began their qualifying campaign against Afghanistan, their hopes of reaching a first ever World Cup were finally ended against Australia in Sydney.

For almost 120 minutes of nail biting action, it looked as though a penalty shootout would be required to separate two teams who had been equally matched over two legs.

But, after 110 minutes, Australian stalwart Tim Cahill popped up with a 50th goal for his country to send the Socceroos through to the intercontinental play-off. Cahill’s second goal of the game gave Australia a 2-1 victory and a 3-2 aggregate win.

In far better conditions than the two teams had encountered in the first leg in Malaysia – a difficult pitch allied to humid weather – many had written Syria off before a ball had been kicked in Sydney.

But any doubts as to whether the “Qasioun Eagles” were in with a genuine chance of continuing their World Cup journey were dispelled after just six minutes.

Mark Milligan’s stray pass in midfield was pounced upon by Tamer Haj Mohamad, who drove at the heart of the Australia defense.

The midfielder, who plays for the Dhofar Club in Oman, spotted Omar Al Somah’s run and threaded a through ball into his path.

Syria’s star striker took two touches – one to cushion the pass, the second a fortunate bobble – before calmly drilling the ball high over Mathew Ryan in the Australian goal.

In truth, the goal was against the run of play. As they did in the first leg, Australia started the match with intent but without much of a cutting edge.

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And if the sizable following of Syrian fans inside Sydney’s Allianz Stadium had begun to dream of Russia, they were left deflated just seven minutes later.

Tom Rogic’s pass down the line was curled brilliantly into the box first time by Matthew Leckie.

Lurking with intent at the far post, as he has done throughout his career, was the 37-year-old Cahill – coming to Australia’s rescue once again – who headed the ball back across goal past the helpless Ibrahim Alma.

That goal injected a bit more confidence into the Australian team and there was now an assuredness and intent to their passing.

Peru —

On Thursday 16 November, Peru became the final team to secure a World Cup spot thanks to a 2-0 win over New Zealand in the second leg of their playoff match, ensuring qualification for La Blanquirroja for the first time since 1982.

Peru —

Such were the magnitude of the celebrations in Lima when Jefferson Farfan put Peru 1-0 up, an earthquake detector in the city was activated at the exact moment of the goal.

Denmark —

The Danes are also on their way to the World Cup after midfielder Christian Eriksen led the way with a hat-trick in an emphatic 5-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in their playoff in Dublin.

Denmark —

That treble took Eriksen's Russia 2018 qualifying campaign tally to 11 goals -- a new Danish record.

Australia —

But Eriksen wasn't the only midfielder to take home the match ball during qualifying that week, with Australia's Mile Jedinak coming to the fore in a 3-1 win against Honduras.

Australia —

After 29 months, 22 matches and hundreds of thousands of miles of traveling, the Socceroos celebrated qualifying for a fourth consecutive World Cup.

Morocco —

The Atlas Lions booked their place at world football's greatest showpiece for the first time since 1998, topping Group C of African qualification without conceding a goal.

Morocco —

Under manager Herve Renard, the only man to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries, Morocco have won five of their past seven fixtures.

Senegal —

The Lions of Teranga joined them on the plane to Russia, topping Group D undefeated at the expense of Burkina Faso, Cape Verde and South Africa.

Senegal —

It's the first time Senegal have qualified for a World Cup since 2002 when they defied the odds to reach the quarterfinals. Their captain that year, Aliou Cissé, now leads them from the dugout.

Tunisia —

A goalless draw at home to Libya on the final day was enough to see the Eagles of Carthage pip DR Congo to top spot in Group A of African qualifying.

Tunisia —

With a total of four World Cup group stage exits in their history, head coach Nabil Maaloul's men will hope to go at least one better at Russia 2018.

Iceland —

With a population of just 335,000, Iceland became the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup after beating Kosovo 2-0 to ensure the islanders topped European qualifying Group I.

Iceland —

Trinidad & Tobago, which has a population of 1.3 million, was the previous smallest country to reach a World Cup back in 2006.

Nigeria —

Nigeria were the first team from Africa to qualify for the upcoming World Cup, seeing off Group B opponents Zambia, Cameroon and Algeria.

Nigeria —

The Super Eagles have only failed to qualify for one tournament -- Germany 2006 -- since their World Cup debut in 1994.

Egypt —

The Pharaohs qualified for Russia 2018 with a game to spare, topping Group E ahead of Ghana, Congo and Uganda to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1990.

Egypt —

Goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, 44, made his international debut over two decades ago. Now he could become the oldest player in World Cup tournament history.

Brazil —

Dispelling memories of their dismal 7-1 defeat to Germany at the 2014 World Cup, Brazil topped South American qualifying with ease, finishing ahead of the likes of Uruguay, Chile, Colombia and Argentina.

Brazil —

Neymar, Paulinho, Gabriel Jesus, Philippe Coutinho and Willian scored 23 goals between them.

Iran —

Iran became the second team after Brazil to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, topping Group A of Asian qualifying without losing a game.

Iran —

Led by former Portugal and Real Madrid head coach Carlos Queiroz, the Iranians will hope to add to their single World Cup win -- secured against the US at France 1998 -- in Russia next year.

Germany —

Boasting a 100% record in Group C of European qualifying, Germany could become the first team to retain the World Cup trophy since Brazil in 1962.

Serbia —

Topping Group D of European qualifying ahead of the Republic of Ireland, Wales and Austria, Serbia qualified for a first major international tournament since 2010.

Serbia —

With six goals to his name, striker Aleksander Mitrovic found the back of the net once every 119 minutes.

Poland —

Poland booked their return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence, topping Group E ahead of the likes of Denmark, Montenegro and Romania.

Poland —

No player scored more during European qualifying than Robert Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich striker scored 16 times at a rate of once every 56 minutes.

England —

Undefeated in Group F, Gareth Southgate's England qualified for their sixth World Cup with a game to spare.

Spain —

Amid the furore of Catalonia's disputed independence referendum, Spain went undefeated and qualified from Group G of European qualifying with a match to spare after beating Albania 3-0.

Belgium —

Spearheaded by the prolific Romelu Lukaku, Roberto Martinez's Red Devils dropped just two points throughout the entirety of their Group H European qualifying campaign. Belgium averaged 4.3 goals per game, more than any other team in World Cup qualifying.

Japan —

With one ferocious sweep of his right foot against Australia, 21-year-old Yosuke Ideguchi booked Japan's place at Russia 2018.

Japan —

Led by the likes of Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda, the Samurai Blue topped Group B by a single point to qualify for a sixth consecutive tournament.

Saudi Arabia —

The Green Falcons beat Japan in the final round of Asian qualifying to finish second in a tightly contested group and book their place at Russia 2018.

Saudi Arabia —

This will be Saudi Arabia's fifth appearance at a World Cup and the first since Germany 2006.

South Korea —

Ever present at the World Cup since 1986, the Taeguk Warriors qualified for Russia 2018 courtesy of a second place finish in Group A of Asian qualifying.

Argentina —

A hat-trick from Lionel Messi propelled Argentina into third in the South American qualifying table and an automatic spot. It was Messi's 44th career hat-trick and his fifth for Argentina.

Uruguay —

Messi's Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez scored twice in Uruguay's 4-2 win over Bolivia. The win ensured La Celeste finished second in South America qualifying. Suarez missed almost two years of playing competitive football for his country after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during a group match at the World Cup in Brazil.

Colombia —

Colombia's Juan Cuadrado (C) leads a prayer after his team qualified for the 2018 World Cup following the 1-1 draw with with Peru in Lima. Colombia reached the quarterfinals in the 2014 tournament before losing 2-1 to hosts Brazil.

Panama —

Panama qualified for the World Cup for the first time in their history after a 2-1 win against Costa Rica. Good news for the Panama national team but also the nation's citizens -- they were then given a public holiday by President Juan Carlos Varela.

Portugal —

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will also be at the World Cup after the Euro 2016 champions leapfrogged Switzerland to top Group B of European qualifying. Johan Djourou put the ball in his own net to hand the lead to Portugal, before Fernando Santos's men doubled their lead with a 57-minute Andre Silva strike.

France —

Antoine Griezmann scored one goal and set up another for Olivier Giroud as the 1998 champions topped European Group A.

Mexico —

Mexico became the first nation from Central American qualifying to reach Russia 2018, only conceding five goals in 15 matches.

Costa Rica —

The Tricolor joined them, qualifying for the upcoming World Cup in dramatic fashion courtesy of a header from Kendall Waston in the fifth minute of added time against Honduras.

Costa Rica —

Oscar Ramirez's men finished second in CONCACAF qualifying behind Mexico.

Sweden —

A valiant performance from Sweden against Italy in November's playoff ensured the four-time winners failed to qualify for the first time since 1958.

Croatia —

Elsewhere, Croatia drew 0-0 in their playoff with Greece but advanced to the finals 4-1 on aggregate.

Swizterland —

Switzerland broke Northern Irish hearts by holding on to another goalless draw, advancing 1-0 on aggregate after a controversial penalty in the first leg.

Russia —

Host nation Russia qualified for the 2018 World Cup without even having to kick a ball. The most recent competitive fixtures for Stanislav Cherchesov's men came in the 2017 Confederations Cup, where they crashed out in the group stage.

Russia —

The draw for the 2018 World Cup is set to take place in Moscow's Kremlin building on Friday, December 1. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news and features

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Entering the second half, Alma became increasingly busy in the Syrian goal. First, he got down smartly to deny Cahill a second, before he could only watch on as Rogic curled an effort inches wide.

As the tension rose it looked inevitable that the game would be heading into extra time, only for a rash decision by midfielder Mahmoud Al Mawas to turned the match on its head.

A second yellow card for a late, reckless challenge handed the advantage to Australia at a time when Syria looked to be dealing comfortably with everything their opponents threw at them.

After the sending off it was a matter of when, not if, Australia would take the lead. Eventually that goal came and it was that man again Cahill who was in the right place at the right time.

Robbie Kruse chipped the ball back into the box after being found by substitute Aaron Mooy and Cahill leapt high above his marker to nod the ball past Alma’s despairing dive.

Arguably Australia’s greatest player, nobody has scored more for the Socceroos than Cahill.

Even so Syria were to have one last, agonizing chance to draw level through Al Somah.

Stepping up to a free kick 25 yards from goal, with a poise and posture almost identical to that of Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Somah’s effort beat Ryan but crashed off the outside of the post.

The rattling of the woodwork signaled the end for Syria and their against all odds World Cup campaign.

Australia will now likely face either Panama or Honduras over two legs for a place at Russia 2018 next summer.

There will be 32 nations at the World Cup in 2018, with the draw for the tournament to take place inside the concert hall at Moscow’s State Kremlin Palace on December 1.

The 2018 World Cup’s first game will feature hosts Russia on June 14 in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.