China fall to Australia 3-1 in 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier
China lost to Australia 3-1, despite scoring first in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifier in Adelaide, Australia, on Thursday.
The Chinese visitors enjoyed a strong start and found the net in the 20th minute. Zhang Yuning headed the ball to Xie Wenneng, who then drove into the box and tallied his first goal for the national team.
Australia tied the game near the end of the first half. Craig Goodwin's free kick from the left wing in stoppage time set up Lewis Miller for a header that evened the score at 1-1.
The Socceroos took the lead seven minutes into the second half. Goodwin blew the ball into the left corner of the visiting side's net with a shot that was too strong and too fast to leave goalkeeper Wang Dalei with any chance.
Australia rubbed salt in Chin...