Not pretty, not fun but Socceroos slog ends with miraculous win amid late drama

At half-time of Australia’s 1-0 victory over Japan in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Socceroos were outplayed but fought back heroically to secure a thrilling win. Despite trailing at halftime and struggling throughout, Australia capitalized in the 90th minute with a last-minute goal from Aziz Behich, who defied Samurai Blue pressure to slot home. Coaches told their players to stay calm during the match, emphasizing patience and persistence. This hard-fought victory keeps them alive in their World Cup qualification quest, now needing only to avoid disaster against Saudi Arabia for a chance to advance.