Australia, Saudi Arabia Draw in World Cup Qualifier

Australia and Saudi Arabia played to a dramatic 0-0 draw in their 2026 World Cup qualifier in Melbourne, marred by a late disallowed goal for the Saudis due to an offside call confirmed by VAR. Both teams had multiple scoring opportunities, with Australia missing a crucial chance to secure a win in the final minutes. The match's outcome leaves both teams tied on six points, trailing group leaders Japan by four points in Group C. Australia's coach Tony Popovic and Saudi Arabia's newly reappointed coach Herve Renard are under pressure as they navigate their respective teams through the remaining qualifiers. The top two teams in the group will automatically qualify for the World Cup, making the remaining fixtures critical for both sides.