Socceroos all but book World Cup 2026 berth after last-gasp Aziz Behich goal sinks Japan

In a thrilling moment that will be etched into Australian football history, Aziz Behich scored the winning goal in stoppage time against Japan, securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup. With one stunning strike, he added to his legacy as a hero of the national team's qualification campaign, following previous icons like John Aloisi and Tim Cahill. Despite trailing possession early and only having two shots on target from Japan’s first half, Australia’s tenacity and determination carried them through, ultimately overcoming their opponents with a goal that defied their apparent disadvantage in control of the game.