Australia vs Japan: Highlights from the World Cup Qualifier Match

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The Socceroos have edged out Japan in a thrilling finish, virtually ensuring their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, unless an unlikely mathematical upset occurs.

Despite Japan largely controlling the match, the Socceroos secured a 1-0 victory over the Samurai Blue, thanks to a decisive goal by Aziz Behich in the 90th minute.

“In terms of football, this is the best week [of my life] … I truly believe we deserve another World Cup appearance,” Behich expressed following the game.

This victory marks Australia’s first win against Japan in 16 years. Japan, already having secured qualification, did not field all of its star players in the initial lineup.

Australia’s place in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is now all but secured following the win against Japan, though it won’t be set in stone until Australia face off against Saudi Arabia next week.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic’s starting 11 for the match was: Ryan, Miller, Circati, Degenek, Burgess, Behich, O’Neil, Teague, Metcalfe, Boyle, and Borrello.

Japan started with: Tani, Machida, Watanabe, Sekine, Hirakawa, Fujita, Sano, Tawaratsumida, Suzuki, Kamada and Ohashi.

Some of their biggest players, like Kaoru Mitoma and Daizen Maeda, sat the game out.

Japan dominates possession in the first half

In the first 45 minutes, Japan was superior, holding over 70 per cent possession of the ball and taking seven unsuccessful shots at goal.

The Socceroos, by contrast, had just two shots at goal.

While Japan entered Australia’s final third 45 times, Australia did the same only 12 times.

The opening minutes of the match started with Japan in possession of the ball, with Tawaratsumida creating some chances from the Socceroos’ right flank, while the Australian national team looked for opportunities on counterattacks.

Japan’s first serious attack came in the 27th minute, when Suzuki nearly scored the match’s first goal.

Football players in green and blue jerseys are on the playing field during a match.

Connor Metcalfe of the Socceroos attempts a header on goal during the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup qualifier match between the Australia Socceroos and Japan. Source: AAP / Richard Wainwright

Australia had their first real chance in the 32nd minute, when Ryan Teague’s header from their first corner narrowly missed the post.

In the 36th minute, Hirakawa unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, which put Australia on notice.

Nail-biting finish

The second half started with two substitutions for the Australian national team and one substitution for the team in blue.

For the Socceroos, McGree and Yazbeck replaced Teague and Boyle in midfield, while Japan brought Seko in place of their other defender, Machida.

The substitutes didn’t change the flow of the game in the first 15 minutes of the second half, with Japan maintaining control over the ball and continuing to apply pressure.

In the last thirty minutes of the second half, Japan’s star player Takefusa Kubo, alongside Keito Nakamura, came into the match, increasing the pressure on Australia’s defence.

Japan came close to securing victory in the 80th minute of the game, when Kubo took a shot that narrowly missed Ryan’s goal.

At the same time, Australia subbed in ex-Man City player and Melbourne Victory’s star Daniel Arzani in the 80th minute, with the hope of changing the game.

But it was Behich’s curved ball just before the final whistle that brought the almost 60,000 person strong crowd to its feet.

What’s next?

Following their win, the Socceroos will remain second in their group with 16 points, while Japan is at the top with 20 points.

Only the top two teams in the group will secure direct spots for the 2026 World Cup.

Saudi Arabia is currently in third place, with 13 points, after defeating Bahrain 2-0 overnight.

The only way Saudi Arabia can block Australia’s automatic qualification is if it defeats the Socceroos by a five-goal margin when the two teams meet in Jeddah on Wednesday.

The previous match of the group stage between Australia and Saudi Arabia at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium ended in a 0-0 draw.

Since 2011, Australia has played Saudi Arabia eight times, losing four of the matches and winning only one.

If Australia finishes third or fourth in their group, they will need to qualify through a round-robin tournament in October.

Six teams will be split into two groups of three, with each team competing against the others in their group once. The victors of both groups will advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.