Australia 2-1 Syria (AET, agg 3-2): Tim Cahill nets dramatic extra-time winner as Socceroos survive scare to qualify for World Cup intercontinental play-off

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A dramatic extra-time header from Australia legend Tim Cahill ensured the Socceroos kept their World Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over war-torn Syria.

Australia have now qualified for a final intercontinental playoff with the fourth-placed team in the North and Central America region, currently Panama.

The final matches in the CONCACAF group take place on Tuesday night, meaning the Socceroos will soon find out whether they are battling with the United States, Panama or Honduras for a place in Russia between November 6-14. 

Australia captain Tim Cahill rises highest to head his side to victory in the dying minutes

Cahill wheels away in celebration after his 50th Australia goal secured a huge play-off victory

Cahill's double against Syria ensures Australia take one step closer to the 2018 World Cup

The 37-year-old cups his hand to his ear after netting the vital late winner against Syria

Australia now head to an intercontinental playoff, where the winner qualifies for the World Cup

At Sydney's Olympic Stadium, it was minnows Syria who started the better of the two sides, and they took an unlikely lead when Omar Al Soma fired the ball past Mathew Ryan in goal.

Mark Milligan gave the ball away with a sloppy pass, and could only watch on as Tamer Mohamd threaded a wonderful through-ball for Al Soma to finish and send the away fans into raptures.

Order was restored just a few minutes later though, when Socceroos captain Cahill netted his first of the night with a trademark header. 

The move started when Matthew Leckie combined well with Tom Rogic down the right, before the former crossed perfectly for Everton legend Cahill to head in.

From there, neither side could tip the balance in their favour in normal time, as both sides battled hard but couldn't find a breakthrough.

Syria, despite their underdog status, played well and enjoyed some chances of their own to net past Brighton's Ryan in the Australia goal. 

Australia face the fourth-placed CONCACAF team in their next play-off, currently Panama

Tuesday night's final fixtures in the CONCACAF group will determine who makes the play-off

Australia were handed a scare in the opening minutes when Omar Al Soma put Syria ahead

Al Soma celebrates with Tamer Mohamd after putting Syria ahead in the opening minutes

Syria fans were dreaming of a fairytale victory before the match at Sydney's Olympic Stadium

Al Soma celebrates after putting his side ahead in the Asian Zone World Cup qualifier play-off

The Syrian fans behind the goal celebrate after watching their side take the lead early on

Nevertheless, the match went on to extra time with the scores level at 1-1, but Syria were handed a blow just a few minutes later. 

Mahmoud Al Mawas, already on a yellow card, ploughed into a challenge on Robbie Kruse, and referee Ravshan Irmatov showed no hesitation to issue a second yellow card.

Al Mawas boasted the most minutes on the pitch of any player in 2018 World Cup qualifiers, but this is not the way he will have wanted it to end.

With Australia now in the ascendancy, it was a backs-to-the-wall situation for the Syrians, who battled on but could ultimately not keep out a late winner.

Syria's lead did not last long, though, as former Everton star Cahill headed beyond the keeper

Alma could get nowhere near Cahill's trademark header as the Aussie captain fired home

Australia captain Cahill looks delighted in front of the packed crowd on Tuesday night

Cahill jumps on top of his team-mates Mathew Leckie and Robbie Kruse after netting his first

With 109 minutes on the clock - and Syria just 11 minutes away from a penalty shootout - Cahill did what he does best to rise highest and head in.

The 37-year-old's late winner - his 50th international goal - sparked wild scenes among the 42,000-strong crowd in Sydney, who were delighted to see their side lead.

Syria went on to smack the post with almost the last kick of the game, but Australia held on for a huge victory, booking their place in next month's intercontinental play-off. 

Jehad Al Baour goes flying as he heads the ball clear under pressure from his opponents

Syria found themselves in trouble when Mahmoud Al Mawas was given a second yellow card

Cahill took advantage of Australia's extra man when he netted late on to secure the victory

The Syrians smashed the post with almost the last kick of the game but they couldn't score