MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Second-half substitute Richard Morales scored two goals in the final 20 minutes Sunday to send Uruguay into the 2002 World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Australia.
Australia had won the first leg of the two-match series, 1-0, but was defeated on aggregate goal total in yet another frustrating bid to reach the World Cup. The Australians were in a similar situation four years ago and seemed headed for a victory over Iran, but were beaten in the final minutes.
Uruguay becomes the 32nd and final nation to earn a berth in the World Cup, ending a two-year, worldwide qualifying process.
There will be 15 countries from Europe in the competition, five from Africa, four from Asia, five from South America and three from North and Central America.
Defending champion France and co-hosts Japan and South Korea were the only countries receiving automatic bids into the event, which will begin May 21.
The draw, which will place the 32 teams in eight, four-team groups, will be held next Saturday.
