
Australia vs China, 2026 World Cup Qualifying - AFC, Third Round
· FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFCPopovic's Socceroos sink China to revive World Cup hope
![Lewis Miller #3 of the Socceroos scores [1296x518]](https://a.espncdn.com/photo/2024/1010/r1398643_1296x518_5-2.jpg)
New coach Tony Popovic has steered the Socceroos to a 3-1 victory against China to revitalise hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.
Match Timeline
- 20': Xie Wenneng (China) Goal at 20'
- 36': Li Lei (China) Yellow Card at 36'
- 45'+2': Lewis Miller (Australia) Goal at 47'
- 45': Behram Abduweli (China) Substitution at 45'
- 45': Jason Geria (Australia) Substitution at 45'
- 45': Riley McGree (Australia) Substitution at 45'
- 53': Craig Goodwin (Australia) Goal at 53'
- 66': Wang Shangyuan (China) Yellow Card at 66'
- 68': Jin Cheng (China) Substitution at 68'
- 68': Liangming Lin (China) Substitution at 68'
- 75': Jordan Bos (Australia) Substitution at 75'
- 77': Liu Yang (China) Substitution at 77'
- 83': Nishan Velupillay (Australia) Substitution at 83'
- 90'+2': Nishan Velupillay (Australia) Goal at 92'
- 90'+4': Ajdin Hrustic (Australia) Substitution at 94'
Statistics
![]() |
AUS![]() |
|
---|---|---|
12 | Fouls | 9 |
2 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
0 | Red Cards | 0 |
0 | Offsides | 0 |
3 | Corner Kicks | 3 |
1 | Saves | 0 |
27.3 | Possession | 72.7 |
7 | SHOTS | 18 |
1 | ON GOAL | 4 |
0.1 | On Target % | 0.2 |
0 | Penalty Goals | 0 |
0 | Penalty Kicks Taken | 0 |
0 | Accurate Passes | 0 |
0 | Passes | 0 |
0.0 | Pass Completion % | 0.0 |
0 | Accurate Crosses | 0 |
0 | Crosses | 0 |
0.0 | Cross % | 0.0 |
0 | Long Balls | 0 |
0 | Accurate Long Balls | 0 |
0.0 | Long Balls % | 0.0 |
4 | Blocked Shots | 3 |
0 | Effective Tackles | 0 |
0 | Tackles | 0 |
0.0 | Tackle % | 0.0 |
0 | Interceptions | 0 |
0 | Effective Clearances | 0 |
0 | Clearances | 0 |
Game Information
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Attendance: 46,219
WCQ - AFC Table
# | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Japan | 8 | +22 | 20 |
2 | Australia | 8 | +7 | 13 |
3 | Saudi Arabia | 8 | -2 | 10 |
4 | Indonesia | 8 | -6 | 9 |
Line-Ups
Australia (3-4-2-1)
No. | Name |
---|---|
18 | Joe Gauci (GK) |
19 | Harry Souttar |
4 | Kye Rowles |
2 | Thomas Deng |
22 | Jackson Irvine |
13 | Aiden O'Neill |
16 | Aziz Behich |
3 | Lewis Miller |
15 | Mitchell Duke |
11 | Nestory Irankunda |
23 | Craig Goodwin |
China (4-4-2)
No. | Name |
---|---|
14 | Wang Dalei (GK) |
16 | Jiang Shenglong |
2 | Jiang Guangtai |
4 | Li Lei ![]() |
13 | Hu Hetao |
8 | Li Yuanyi |
6 | Wang Shangyuan ![]() |
10 | Wei Shihao |
20 | Xie Wenneng |
9 | Zhang Yuning |
17 | Fernandinho |
WCQ - AFC News

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After matchday eight of Asia's World Cup qualifiers, ESPN's writers answer the burning questions, provide analysis and break down the biggest performances across the continent.

Australia's quest to secure automatic World Cup qualification is set to go down to the wire, despite the Socceroos earning a 2-0 away win over China.

The race for the 2026 World Cup has begun in earnest. Here's how it's looking around the globe.

With Tony Popovic backing faces familiar to him, the Socceroos' win over China demonstrates how trust and process are shaping their road to 2026.