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Australia 3-1 Honduras (agg. 3-1): Mile Jedinak sends Socceroos to World Cup

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15:  Mile Jedinak of Australia celebrates scoring a goal with team mates during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Leg 2 match
Image: Mile Jedinak scored twice to send Australia to Russia next summer

Mile Jedinak scored two penalties and forced an own goal as Australia reached next year's World Cup at the expense of Honduras following a 3-1 aggregate victory.

A goalless draw in Honduras on Friday saw the intercontinental play-off head to a winner-takes-all tie in Sydney on Wednesday.

And it was Aston Villa midfielder Jedinak who spearheaded Australia's charge to the World Cup, in what will be their fourth straight appearance at the tournament.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15:  Mile Jedinak of Australia celebrates with team mates after scoring the first goal as Tim Cahill of Australia jumps over t
Image: Australia are through to their fourth straight World Cup finals

Following a cagey first half, Jedinak's free-kick deflected off Henry Figueroa after 54 minutes to put the Socceroos in front.

Jedinak then buried two penalties in the space of 13 minutes to put daylight between themselves and Honduras.

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The visitors did score a late consolation through Alberth Elis, but the nation ultimately fell at the final hurdle, missing out on the World Cup having featured at the last two in South Africa and Brazil respectively.

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