Context:

A last-minute goal by Aziz Behich secured a 1-0 victory for Australia over Japan in Perth, pushing the Socceroos closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. This win places Australia six points ahead of third place in Asia Group C, and their qualification could be confirmed if Saudi Arabia fails to win against Bahrain. Japan, already qualified, fielded a largely inexperienced team, yet dominated possession and had several scoring opportunities, the best of which saw Takefusa Kubo narrowly miss. Riley McGree's late-game maneuver set up Behich's decisive goal, marking Australia's first victory over Japan in 16 years. The result reflects the culmination of a challenging campaign for Australia, who must now await the outcome of other matches to confirm their World Cup spot.

Dive Deeper:

• Aziz Behich's last-minute goal in Perth propelled Australia to a crucial 1-0 victory over Japan, significantly boosting their chances of World Cup qualification.

• Australia holds a six-point lead over the third-position team in Asia Group C, and their qualification could be sealed if Saudi Arabia does not secure a win against Bahrain.

• Japan, having already qualified, opted for an experimental lineup featuring only two players with significant international experience, yet they controlled possession and created multiple chances.

• Takefusa Kubo had a notable opportunity to score for Japan but missed the target, illustrating the close nature of the match.

• Riley McGree's strategic play in the final moments set up Behich's winning goal, leading to Australia's first triumph over Japan in 16 years.

• Australia's journey through the qualifiers has been arduous, and this victory represents a pivotal moment as they stand on the verge of their sixth consecutive World Cup appearance.

• The structure of the Asian qualifiers means that teams finishing third and fourth in their groups will compete in a subsequent stage for remaining World Cup spots.