Kaoru Mitoma of Japan celebrates a goal
Japan have qualified for the World Cup for the seventh successive time

Japan booked their place at this year's Word Cup in Qatar with a dramatic victory against Australia that also confirmed Saudi Arabia's qualification for the tournament.

The two late goals from Kaoru Mitoma sealed Japan's place in the tournament.

Saudi Arabia are four points clear of Australia in Group B of Asian qualification.

Australia will face a play-off to reach the World Cup.

The Socceroos will play Saudi Arabia in a dead rubber in Jeddah on Tuesday, and then face the country that finishes third in Group A in a play-off game on June 7.

Iraq are third in the group with two games to go, three points behind Lebanon.

The winner of that tie will play the fifth-ranked team from South America.

Mitoma delivers late for Japan

Japan needed to beat Australia on home soil for the first time since 1998 to progress, and appeared to be heading towards a frustrating draw against a Covid-19-hit Socceroos side before Mitoma came off the bench to break the deadlock in the 90th minute.

Takumi Minamino had hit the woodwork twice in the first half, and then had an 80th-minute effort cleared off the line.

In the 84th minute, after being replaced by the forward, Mitoma pounced on a cut-back pass to beat Mat Ryan and spark wild celebration from the visitors.

Five minutes later, he beat Ryan again and put the result and qualification beyond doubt.