Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has saved two spot kicks to help his team beat Uruguay 4-2 on penalties and qualify for football's World Cup for the first time since 1974.
Schwarzer blocked shots from Uruguay's Dario Rodriguez and Marcelo Zalayeta Wednesday in Sydney, while Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, Tony Vidmar and John Aloisi all scored for Australia.
The playoff berth in the 2006 World Cup in Germany had to be settled by penalties after Australia pulled even on aggregate by winning Wednesday's second-leg match 1-0 in Sydney. Marco Bresciano scored Australia's goal in the 34th minute and extra time failed to produce another goal. Uruguay won Saturday's first leg match in Montevideo, 1-0.
Uruguay won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950, and was trying to earn its 11th appearance in the finals.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.
