Despite Australia performing well in both matches, they were marred with foul play by the Uruguayans, which left Australian forward Ray Baartz suffering a stroke after having his carotid artery damaged following an incident with Luis Garisto.

Between 2001 and 2005 the rivalry would come to the forefront of Australian and Uruguayan relations as both nations played each other in consecutive FIFA World Cup play-off matches.

After scoring the first and providing the assist for Australia's second goal, Uruguays play would become more violent and spiteful, culminating in Garisto punching Baartz in the jaw following some banter.

[10] Following the match, Baartz started showing signs of a stroke following the attack to his neck and was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital where doctors placed in him in intensive care having lost consciousness for two days.

The first leg was held at the MCG in Melbourne and finished with Australia defeating Uruguay 1–0, courtesy of a second half penalty converted by Kevin Muscat.

A lynch mob which had been organized by a private citizens, confronted the Australian national team as they made their way from the airport terminal to their bus.

[15] The mob spat, assaulted, and abused the players and coaching staff with death threats[16] resulting in the Australians being kept in their hotel rooms for the 3-days prior to the match.

Goals from Darío Silva, and a brace from Richard Morales sealed a 3–1 aggregate victory and ultimately qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup for the South Americans.

[26] The COVID-19 pandemic forced CONMEBOL to delay the tournament to 2021, with Australia withdrawing its wildcard berth due to scheduling conflicts with its 2022 World Cup qualification campaign.