Saudi Arabia top Indonesia 3-2 in fourth round of World Cup Qualifying

Saudi Arabia battled back from a goal down to edge Indonesia 3-2 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier at home in Jeddah on Wednesday.

The Saudis, Indonesians, and Iraq are in Group B, with only the pool winner clinching an automatic spot at next year's World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The runners-up from Group A and Group B will then meet over two legs next month to determine which side advances to the inter-confederation play-offs.

Indonesia, ranked 60 places below Saudi Arabia at 119th in the world, scored first from the penalty spot through Kevin Diks in the 11th minute. That would be the first of three penalties awarded by the referee in this contest.

Six minutes later, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat brought the home side level, taking the ball outside the box and juking a defender, before rolling a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The Saudis snatched a 2-1 lead in the 36th minute, thanks to the second penalty of the night. Yakob Sayuri tugged on Feras Al-Brikan's jersey in the box, sending the striker to the spot where he calmly converted to move the hosts in front.

Al-Brikan found the net again in the 62nd minute, drilling a rebound after Musab Al-Juwayr's long shot was rejected by goalkeeper Maarten Paes, to extend Saudi Arabia's advantage to 3-1.

The Indonesians earned their second penalty, and the third of the match overall, in the 88th minute. Diks converted again to cut the deficit to 3-2, but the visitors would get no closer.

Indonesia will face Iraq on Saturday, before the Saudis do the same on Tuesday.

In other action, Oman and Group A hosts Qatar battled to a 0-0 draw in Al Rayyan. The third team in the pool, the UAE, will meet Oman on Saturday, before going up against Qatar on Tuesday.