Overview

• Behich’s curled finish in the 90th minute earned a 1-0 win over a Japan side that rested key players in front of 57,226 fans at Optus Stadium
• The victory marked Australia’s first triumph over Japan in 16 years and moved the Socceroos to second in Group C with 16 points and an eight-goal advantage
• Australia will clinch automatic qualification if Saudi Arabia fail to beat Bahrain in Riffa later on Thursday
• Uzbekistan secured its inaugural World Cup berth with a draw against the United Arab Emirates, and China was eliminated after losing 1-0 to Indonesia
• Eight teams have now qualified for the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup, including hosts United States, Canada and Mexico