Australia sealed a perfect passage through to the 2022 World Cup third qualifying round thanks to Harry Souttar s header in Wednesday s 1-0 win over Jordan in Kuwait.
The Socceroos were already guaranteed top spot in Group B and made it eight wins from eight in qualifying for the first time ever with their three points at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.
Souttar s goal – the Stoke City defender s sixth in five internationals – ended Jordan s hopes of qualifying and that frustration told as Mousa Suleiman was shown a late red card.
Jordan had lost only one of their previous seven internationals but struggled to create any meaningful opportunities, which was also true of their opponents for large parts.
. nods home a historic winner
The defender s 6th goal in 5 international games
8 consecutive wins in a single qualifying campaign for the first time in history
— Socceroos (@Socceroos)
Trent Sainsbury sent an unmarked header just past the post and James Holland s strike soon after hit the upright as Australia s superiority slowly started to show.
And that pressure paid off as Souttar met Martin Boyle s inswinging corner to put his side on course for their first ever back-to-back victories against Jordan.
Tempers then flared in the 87th minute following Ehsan Manel Haddad s challenge on Aziz Behich, culminating in Suleiman being sent off for clashing heads with the Australia wing-back.
