Socceroos stun Japan in 90th minute: World Cup spot nearly sealed

Australia ended a 16-year losing streak against Japan with a last-minute goal by Riley McGree at Perth's Optus Stadium, delivering a crucial 1-0 win. This dramatic victory under coach Tony Popovic's leadership brings the Socceroos tantalizingly close to World Cup qualification, highlighting their resilience and tactical growth.

Sources:
1
Updated 2h ago
Tab background
Sources: 1
The Socceroos secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Japan with a last-minute goal by Riley McGree at Optus Stadium in Perth, ending a 16-year winless streak against the Blue Samurai. This crucial win brings Australia closer to sealing their spot in the upcoming World Cup.

Coach Tony Popovic highlighted the team's resilience throughout a challenging campaign marked by a coaching change. "It has been a long campaign and we have worked so hard over this campaign. Weve had a change of coach, never easy, the group we have in this changeroom and the boys that come in every camp, the mentality is second to none," he said.

The winning goal came after a "dangerous and incisive Riley McGree run" in the 90th minute, thrilling the home crowd and delivering a historic victory. Popovic reflected on the moment: "Beating Japan, doing it at home and the last minute, you couldnt have scripted it any better."

This victory not only breaks a 16-year drought against Japan but also significantly boosts Australia's chances of qualifying for the World Cup, energizing the team and fans alike as the campaign nears its conclusion.
Sources: 1
The Socceroos stunned Japan with a 90th-minute goal by Riley McGree at Optus Stadium, securing a 1-0 win and breaking a 16-year drought against the Blue Samurai. Coach Tony Popovic praised the team’s resilience, saying the victory nearly seals their World Cup qualification.
Section 1 background
The Headline

Socceroos clinch last-minute win to near World Cup qualification

Beating Japan, doing it at home and the last minute, you couldn’t have scripted it any better.
Tony Popovic
Socceroos Coach
1
Key Facts
  • Socceroos secured a 1-0 win over Japan on June 6, 2025, at Optus Stadium in Perth with a 90th minute winning goal following a dangerous and incisive run by Riley McGree.1
  • This victory nearly seals Australia's spot in the upcoming World Cup, marking a crucial step in their qualification campaign.
Key Stats at a Glance
Match score
1-0
Timing of winning goal
90 minutes
Background Context

Breaking 16-year drought under new coach Popovic

It has been a long campaign and we have worked so hard over this campaign. We’ve had a change of coach, never easy, the group we have in this changeroom and the boys that come in every camp, the mentality is second to none.
Tony Popovic
Socceroos Coach
1
Key Facts
  • Australia ended a 16-year winless streak against Japan with this victory, their first since 2010.1
  • Tony Popovic took over as coach during a challenging campaign, leading the team through a period of transition and hard work.1
Key Stats at a Glance
Duration of winless streak against Japan
16 years
1
Last victory year against Japan
2010
1
Article not found
⌂ CuriousCats.ai

Article

‹

Source Citations