Two late penalty kicks from Nawaf Al Abid gave Saudi Arabia a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Iraq in Malaysia on Tuesday evening and a perfect six points from six in Group B of the final round of qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Iraq, hosting the match at the Shah Alam Stadium due to security concerns at home, had led since the first half thanks to Mohanad Abdulraheem and were on top for much of the 90 minutes.
But with victory in sight two spot kicks from Al Abid gave the visitors three more vital points, five days after needing a late penalty to defeat Thailand 1-0 in Riyadh, and condemned the hosts to a second straight defeat after a 2-0 loss to Australia five days previously.
Iraq dominated the first half, taking the game to Bert Van Marwijk's men with Alaa Ali Mhawi's shot deflected just wide of the Saudi post in the early exchanges.
The 2007 AFC Asian Cup champions continued to attack and took the lead in fine fashion after 18 minutes.
Saad Abdulameer galloped free down the right side and his low cross found Abdulraheem with his back to goal and surrounded by white shirts inside a crowded penalty area.
A deft first touch gave the Al Zawraa striker room to turn and fire a low shot past Yasser Al Mosailem into the opposite corner.
Saudi Arabia tried to get back in the game but struggled to create clear chances while just after the half-hour, Justin Meram freed Alaa Abdulzahra in the area who blasted a shot well over the bar.
Iraq had a much better chance right on the stroke of half-time. Abdulzahra curled over a cross from the left to pick out Abdulraheem on the edge of the six-yard box but his shot was well blocked by Al Mosailem who was alert to the danger.
The hosts continued to push Saudi Arabia back after the restart with Abdulraheem delaying a chance to shoot and losing possession in a good position.
The Saudis forced a rare save out of Mohammed Hameed just after the hour. Al Abid's left-footed free-kick from just outside the area was curling into the bottom corner before the goalkeeper got down well and shortly after Naif Hazazi took advantage of a lapse in Iraqi concentration but his shot went over.
With ten minutes remaining Saudi Arabia had a lifeline as Saad Neteq brought down Hassan Fallatah inside the area and Al Abid fired an unstoppable spot kick high into the net.
Eight minutes later, Ali Mhawi brought down Al Abid inside the box and the playmaker once again made no mistake from the spot.
Tempers flared but Iraq were not able to get back into the game and are still looking for their first points of the final round.
