Australia end Syria's World Cup dream with extra-time winner

Summary

Australia 2-1 Syria in World Cup qualifier second leg - Australia win 3-2 on agg
Cahill puts Australia in front in extra time - Syria's Al Mawas sent off for two bookings
Australia will face Concacaf side for place at Russia 2018
McClean winner sends Republic of Ireland to play-off and Wales out
Iceland become smallest nation to reach World Cup
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Live Reporting

Shamoon Hafez

What happened in the first leg?published at 09:55 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Australia v Syria (10:00 BST)
Image source, Reuters
Omar Al Somah scored a late penalty as Syria kept their 2018 World Cup hopes alive with a draw in the first leg of their play-off against Australia.
In their previous match, striker Al Somah netted an injury-time equaliser against Iran as Syria finished third in their Asian qualifying group.
He also converted the leveller in Malaysia - where Syria play their home games - after Robbie Kruse's opener.
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Get Involvedpublished at 09:47 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
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How will Syria get on against Australia? Will it be the biggest footballing shock of all-time if they manage to reach Russia?
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Team newspublished at 09:41 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Australia v Syria (10:00 BST)
Just a quick look at how Australia line-up for their crucial World Cup play-off second-leg against Syria.
Former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill leads the line for the Socceroos, while Celtic's Tom Rogic is in support. Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan also starts.
Huddersfield's Aaron Mooy and QPR's Massimo Luongo are on the bench.
'Beg for forgiveness'published at 09:34 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Tim Vickery
BBC Sport South American football expert
Image source, Reuters
South America consistently produces the most competitive World Cup qualification campaign on the planet, with more strength in depth and fewer easy games than anywhere else.
Argentina have dug themselves into a hole this time. They go into the final round down in sixth, outside even the play-off spot following a goalless draw against Peru.
On Wednesday (00:30 BST - live text on the BBC Sport website) they are away to Ecuador at the dreaded altitude of Quito, conditions they despise. A win will guarantee a play-off place and might even send them automatically to Russia, but a draw will leave them reliant on other results and a defeat will eliminate them.
There is, then, a real danger that Argentina, Lionel Messi and all, will be missing from the 2018 World Cup.
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Who needs what to reach Russia?published at 09:31 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Image source, Getty Images
Looking ahead...
Second-placed Portugal face Group B leaders Switzerland knowing victory will avoid the play-off route.
The Netherlands face Sweden in Group A, needing to win by seven goals. Oh dear.
And there Argentina face a huge, HUGE game over night in Quito against Ecuador. The prospect of Lionel Messi missing out on a World Cup looms large.
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Sublime to the ridiculouspublished at 09:24 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Dennis van Duinen of Dutch fourth division team Harkemase Boys produces one of the worst open-goal misses you are ever likely to see, blasting over the bar from 10 yards out with his team 2-0 ahead. Harkemase lost their game against VW Capelle 3-2.
Hit the clip below.
CAUTION: It's bad
Ole, ole ole olepublished at 09:16 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Some topless Irish footballers singing and dancing...
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Flying highpublished at 09:10 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Coolly donepublished at 09:04 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
The Icelandic thunderclap, external and war chant will be out in force in Russia.
Iceland are going to be drawn against England aren't they? You just know they will.
Image source, Getty Images
Iceland reach World Cuppublished at 08:55 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
They've done it again...
Iceland became the smallest nation ever to progress to a World Cup after beating Kosovo to win their qualifying group for Russia 2018.
The Euro 2016 quarter-finalists, who knocked out England in the last 16, have a population of about 335,000.
They are the only country to qualify for a World Cup with a population of fewer than one million.
Everton's Gylfi Sigurdsson and Burnley's Johann Gudmundsson got the goals on Monday evening.
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How it endedpublished at 08:46 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Image source, .
Serbia booked a direct flight to Russia.
Republic of Ireland are into the play-offs.
Wales and the rest? Goodbye.
Heartbreak for Walespublished at 08:38 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Where did it all go wrong for Chris Coleman's team?
Hit the play button below to find out.
Media caption,
Heartbreak for Wales - where did it go wrong?
So proudpublished at 08:28 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Wales 0-1 Republic of Ireland
Image source, ge
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill said he was "so proud" of his players after they beat Wales 1-0 to secure a World Cup play-off spot.
James McClean struck a 57th-minute winner in Cardiff on Monday to ensure the Irish finished second in Group D.
"The players were magnificent playing away against a very good Welsh side - to win on their territory was a great result for us," said O'Neill.
"We are in the play-offs. Whenever the draw is made we will take our chance."
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Wales' World Cup hopes overpublished at 08:20 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Wales 0-1 Republic of Ireland
Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium
Image source, PA
Wales' 2018 World Cup hopes are over after James McClean's goal earned the Republic of Ireland a victory that sends them into the qualifying play-offs.
At a highly charged Cardiff City Stadium, the hosts controlled much of the first half but were frustrated by the stout defending and rugged physicality of their opponents.
The Republic grew in confidence after the interval and their abrasive approach paid off as Jeff Hendrick dispossessed Wales captain Ashley Williams and set up McClean to score with a thumping half-volley.
Wales hurled bodies forward in a desperate late search for the two goals they needed to snatch the play-off place back from Martin O'Neill's side, but they found their route to goal blocked by an unflinching Irish defence.
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Postpublished at 08:14 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
The Sun
Image source, The Sun
Postpublished at 08:12 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
The Daily Mail
Image source, The Daily Mail
Postpublished at 08:10 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Daily Mirror
Image source, Daily Mirror
Postpublished at 08:08 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Independent
Image source, Independent
Postpublished at 08:07 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
A quick look at the morning papers. Let the headlines do the talking...
Joy and despairpublished at 07:57 British Summer Time 10 October 2017
Image source, Rex Features
One went home still in with a chance of reaching the biggest competition in football.
The other went home with nothing left to play for.
It's a cruel game.