Saudi Arabia moves a step closer to qualification for 2026 World Cup

Saudi Arabia beat Indonesia 3-2 on Wednesday to move within 90 minutes of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

A victory against Iraq next Tuesday, also in Jeddah, would guarantee Saudi Arabia first place in Group B and a seventh World Cup appearance.

In the fourth round of Asian qualifying, only the winners of the two groups of three earn automatic berths to the tournament. The runners-up advance to a fifth round.

Indonesia, coached by former Netherlands and Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert, struck first when Kevin Diks converted a penalty in the 11th minute. Six minutes later, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat equalized, and Firas Al-Buraikan’s penalty in the 37th put Saudi Arabia ahead.

Al-Buraikan scored again just after the hour mark, but Diks converted a second penalty in the 89th. Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed Kanno was sent off in stoppage time, but the hosts held on for the win.

“One more step to go. God willing, we’ll make it happen,” Al-Buraikan said in comments posted on X by the Asian Football Confederation.

Indonesia’s chance of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1938 will be over if it loses to Iraq on Saturday.

Earlier in Group A, Qatar was held to a 0-0 draw by Oman in Al-Rayyan.

“We performed well throughout the match against a stubborn team that defended well and closed down spaces,” Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui said. “Despite that, we created several opportunities but couldn’t convert them into goals."

Oman, the only team in the fourth round never to have appeared at the World Cup, plays the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

“A draw is the best result for both teams today. A loss would have hurt our chances of World Cup qualification,” Oman coach Carlos Queiroz said. "We don’t have much time before facing the UAE, but we’ll prepare well to keep our World Cup dream alive.”

Asia has eight automatic places and Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan and Jordan had already qualified from the third round which ended in June

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari, right, attempts a shot at goal in front of Indonesia's goalkeeper Maarten Vincent Paes during the World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier fourth-round Group B soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia at Alinma Bank Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (AP Photo)

Saudi Arabia's Feras Albrikan, right, heads the ball to scores his side's third goal during the World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier fourth-round Group B soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia at Alinma Bank Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (AP Photo)

Saudi Arabia's Feras Albrikan, left, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier fourth-round Group B soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia at Alinma Bank Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (AP Photo)

Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari applauds fans during the World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier fourth-round Group B soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia at Alinma Bank Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (AP Photo)

Saudi Arabia's Feras Albrikan, left, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier fourth-round Group B soccer match between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia at Alinma Bank Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (AP Photo)

TORONTO (AP) — Cole Caufield scored in regulation and a shootout, Alexandre Texier had the winner in the tiebreaker and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 on Saturday night.

Jakub Dobes made 22 saves to help Montreal improve to 15-9-3.

Scott Laughton scored for Toronto, and Dennis Hildeby stopped 33 shots. The Maple Leafs dropped to 13-11-4. They had won three in a row.

Hildeby got the start after Joseph Woll joined Anthony Stolarz on injured reserve earlier in the day. Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said Woll will be out “a week … hopefully” after leaving a 5-1 victory in Carolina on Thursday night after two periods because if a lower-body injury.

The Canadiens, who topped the Maple Leafs 5-2 at home Nov. 22 to open Toronto’s recent six-game trip, connected on their second man advantage at 8:25 of the second period when Caufield slid his 15th goal of the season past Hildeby.

The Montreal winger extended his points streak to 10 games for the second double-digit run of his career.

Laughton replied for Toronto on a short-handed breakaway with 9:32 left in the third his third goal of the season and third in three games.

Canadiens: Host St. Louis on Sunday night.

Maple Leafs: Host Tampa Bay on Monday night.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Montréal Canadiens defenseman Jayden Struble (47), goaltender Jakub Dobes, center, and Josh Anderson (17) celebrate winning over the Toronto Maple Leafs after a shootout in an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly (44) clears the puck from in front of his goalie Dennis Hildeby (35) as Montréal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovský (20) and Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield (13) look on during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montréal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield (13) celebrates after his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with teammates on the bench during second-period NHL hockey game action in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP

Montréal Canadiens defenceman Noah Dobson (53) picks up a penalty for tripping Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander (88) during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montréal Canadiens left wing Alexandre Texier (85) scores the winning goal against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Dennis Hildeby (35) during shootout NHL hockey game action in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)