Tommy Rogic Screamer Saves Australia From Saudi Humiliation

It was bizarre, insipid at times and nerve-jangling but Australia kept their 2018 Russian World Cup bid in tact overnight with a 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia in Adelaide.

Striker Tommy Rogic was the star. The 24-year-old, who last week scored the winner in the Scottish Cup final for Celtic, created several opportunities before scoring the match winner in the 64 minute with a sublime left-foot strike from outside the box.

"That was pure class, I don't care what you say … you could have two keepers in there and it was going in," said all-time Australian great, Harry Kewell on the telecast afterwards.

The Rogic strike was the shining light on an otherwise poor night for the Socceroos, who struggled to put Saudi Arabia away despite their opponents being without at least one key player.

Australia's Tommy Juric was fortunate to be gifted a goal 7 minutes in following a shocking howler from Saudi keeper, Al Mosailem, that will be replayed for years to come.

The Saudi's equalised 15 minutes later, pouncing on an Australian error in the midfield before a deft one-two from Salem Al-Dawsari ripped through the heart of Australia's defence to score.

Australia's insipid passing and control in the midfield continued until Brendan Leckie found space against the run of play and dinked a cross in for Tommy Juric to head home his second for a 2-1 lead.

The Saudis midfield dominance continued, however, eventually resulting in a second goal on half-time following a special ball to Al Jasam in the box who headed back across goal, stretching Soccerroos keeper, Mat Ryan, who was unable to keep Al-Sahlawi's pointblank shot out.

When Rogic's 64 minute wonderstrike edged Australia ahead, coach Ange Postecoglou consolidated the lead with a defensive pattern that saw veteran talisman, Timmy Cahill confined to the bench for the duration of the match.

The Socceroos are now on 16 points in their group, level with leaders Japan and Saudi Arabia, though behind on goal differential.

They will face Japan away in August in another blockbuster qualifier before their final qualifer against Thailand at home in September.