Japan has qualified for a seventh successive World Cup after beating Australia 2-0 in Sydney, results that also qualified Saudi Arabia from Asia Group B.
The Asian country, which has 21 points in the group, two more than Saudis, on Thursday ended the Socceroos’ chances of automatic qualification.
Australia remains in contention for a playoff spot in third place, where they will face the third-place team from Group A.
Japan substitute, Kaoru Mitoma scored two late goals for the team, after Takumi Minamino came close on five occasions.
Mitoma, who came in on the 84th minute scored in the 89th after a pullback from Miki Yamane.
“The win was as a result of the players preparing hard and working hard, and I hope the fans at home can share in the joy,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu.
Australia almost took the lead in the first half, when Gianni Stensness scored a corner but the referee ruled that Trent Sainsbury fouled the goalkeeper, Shuichi Gonda.
“It is obviously disappointing. But at the 87th minute, 0-0 was still not good enough to qualify so we opened ourselves up and went four up front and gave them too much space,” said Australia coach Graham Arnold.
“At the end of the day, they are a quality team and probably the better team on the night.”
The Socceroos now have to focus on qualifying for the World Cup via the playoff route for a second time.
“We have got the third-place spot and you have to be positive about that. We did that in 2018 and we just have to move forward,” said Arnold.