Uruguay won the series 3–1 on aggregate, therefore qualifying for the World Cup held in Korea and Japan.

[3][4] Australian players were spat on, punched and abused by a mob of Uruguayan fans on arrival at Montevideo's international airport for the second leg.

Uruguay qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Finals in South Korea and Japan, and were drawn into Group A with defending champions France, Denmark and debutants Senegal.

Against Tahiti, a goal from Damian Mori in extra time secured a 2–1 win and a place in the final against New Zealand.

Australia and Uruguay met again in the 2005 CONMEBOL-OFC play-off, with heightened security measures following the 2001 airport incident in Montevideo.