ADELAIDE: Australia got their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign back on track by beating China 3-1 on Thursday in coach Tony Popovic’s first game in charge.
The Socceroos had picked up just one point from their opening two Group C games in September, and they feared the worst after 19 minutes at the Adelaide Oval.
Xie Wenneng ran onto a Zhang Yuning header to shoot powerfully into the net and silence the majority of the 46,000 crowd.
Australia, going for a sixth straight World Cup appearance, struggled to turn possession into clear chances but just before the break, Lewis Miller headed Craig Goodwin’s free kick into the net for his first international goal.
Goodwin fired home a spectacular second from outside the area eight minutes after the restart to put Australia ahead 2-1. Nishan Velupillay added a third in stoppage time in his debut international appearance to seal the win and condemn China to a third loss in three games.
Popovic was hired last month after the resignation of Graham Arnold as head coach.
Australia are second in the group above Saudi Arabia, which takes on leader Japan later Thursday in Jeddah.
The top two from each of the three six-team groups qualify directly for the World Cup while the third- and fourth-place finishers advance to a fourth stage of qualification to compete for Asia’s two remaining automatic berths.
Australia revive World Cup hopes with 3-1 win over China
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Australia revive World Cup hopes with 3-1 win over China
- The Socceroos had picked up just one point from their opening two Group C games in September
- Popovic was hired last month after the resignation of Graham Arnold as head coach
Historic FIFAe Finals 25 conclude with France crowned world’s best nation in Rocket League
- FIFAe Finals 25 took place from Dec. 10-19 in Riyadh
- France crowned champions of the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League
RIYADH: The FIFAe Finals 25 concluded on Friday as France were crowned champions at the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League, closing out eight days of football esports competition and entertainment in Riyadh.
The French team, consisting of Zen, Vatira and Juicy, delivered a standout performance from the group stage to the final, combining exceptional skills, perfect team chemistry and nerves of steel in high-pressure moments.
The competition marked the grand conclusion of the FIFAe Finals 25, the pinnacle event in football esports, bringing teams from around the world to challenge for multiple titles together under one roof.
With 250 matches across eight competition days, a $450,000 prize pool, millions tuning in online and record-breaking social media numbers, the event set new benchmarks in its 2025 edition.
“This year’s FIFAe Finals truly united the world by connecting the next generation of fans with the sport we all love. By creating the biggest global stage for national team–based football esports, we are shaping a new era of entertainment — one that combines national pride, competitive excellence and the universal passion for football and gaming,” said Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA secretary general.
“Congratulations to all world champions for their outstanding achievements in an unforgettable, spectacular atmosphere. As we continue to unite the entire football family, we encourage all our member associations, players, fans and stakeholders to join us in 2026 for an exciting new chapter.”
With 94 nations and millions of players on the Road to Riyadh, the FIFAe ecosystem demonstrated a new level of national team–based esports throughout the year. The season reached its climax at the SEF Arena in Riyadh.
The FIFAe Finals 25 concluded with three historic champions:
- Thailand: Champions of the FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball Mobile
- Poland: Champions of the FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball Console
- France: Champions of the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League
