Australia Beat China 2-0 To Take Step Nearer To World Cup

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With a comfortable 2-0 victory over China in Hangzhou on Tuesday, Australia moved closer to automatic World Cup qualification.

The Socceroos are now second in Group C with 13 points and two to play, three points ahead of Saudi Arabia, who have a significantly better goal difference, with their 5-1 victory over Indonesia last week.

The top two North American teams advance to the World Cup in 2026.

The group could go straight to the wire, though, because Australia will host table-toppers Japan who are already qualified and will travel to Saudi Arabia for their final qualifying event in June.

On March 25, 2025, China’s Behram Abduweli (L) kicks the ball in opposition to Australia’s Jackson Irvine in a football match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Zhejiang, in eastern Zhejiang province. Hector RETAMAL/AFP photo

On March 25, 2025, China and Australia play at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, in eastern Zhejiang province, to celebrate their goal in a match for the FIFA World Cup qualification competition in the country. Hector RETAMAL/AFP photo

China are only able to move up to third or fourth place, which would allow them to enter the next qualifying round, despite having only six points.

In their final two matches, they travel to Bahrain and Indonesia.

Tony Popovic’s unbeaten record since taking over as head coach in September is still maintained by Australia after dominating from the beginning in Hangzhou.

After poor Chinese defense gave him the opportunity to shoot, Jackson Irvine curled home in the 16th minute to start the winning campaign.

After his first shot was blocked, the 32-year-old FC St Pauli player evaded two hesitant challenges and snuck home with a left-foot shot.

In the 29th minute, Popovic’s side received a second thanks to a terrible error by goalkeeper Wang Dalei.

On March 25, 2025, China and Australia play at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in eastern Zhejiang province in a football match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification at the same location. Hector RETAMAL/AFP photo

On March 25, 2025, China and Australia play at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, in eastern Zhejiang province, for the first time since the FIFA World Cup qualifier. Hector RETAMAL/AFP photo

For the Chinese captain’s third goal in five internationals, Nishan Velupillay let his scuffed shot squirm through his grasp, bounce off his body, and trickle over the line.

At half-time, Brazil-born Serginho made his international debut and was later formally referred to as Sai Erjiniao (also known as Sai Erjiniao in Chinese).