Saudi Arabia are aware no one is expecting them to pull off a miracle against Australia. That doesn't mean they won't try.

Tony Popovic was already thinking about the improvements Australia needed to make for next year's World Cup finals soon after they sealed automatic qualification with a gritty 2-1 win in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Connor Metcalfe scored his first goal for Australia and Mitchell Duke iced the 2-1 victory in Saudi Arabia that ensured the Socceroos qualified for a sixth straight World Cup.Needing just to avoid a five-goal defeat to secure direct entry to the 2026 tournament,

This is the Line in Saudi Arabia, part of the $500 billion NEOM Megaproject, stretching 170 km (106 mi) through the desert.