Socceroos vs. Japan score, result, stats as Australia all but guarantee World Cup qualification

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The Socceroos have all but secured World Cup qualification with a dramatic 1-0 win over Japan.

Aziz Behich scored a stunning 90th-minute goal to send Optus Stadium into raptures, and essentially guarantee Australia's participation in the 2026 tournament.

Despite fielding an understrength side, Japan dominated for the majority of the game.

The visitors looked at ease in Perth as they bossed possession, although they couldn't quite find the killer blow.

MORE: Socceroos World Cup 2026 qualifying hub

Australia's defence held strong as the match looked destined to be an ugly, goalless affair.

There was one final twist in store, though.

In the final minute of regulation time, Behich got on the end of a Riley McGree cut-back and found the back of the net with a curling effort.

Australia notably hadn't beaten the Samurai Blue since 2009.

Barring a significant swing in goal difference for Saudi Arabia, the Socceroos' victory on Thursday evening means they will head to North America next year to compete in the pinnacle of international football.

The Sporting News followed Australia vs. Japan live, providing score updates and commentary.

WATCH: Socceroos matches on Paramount+ via Prime Video

Socceroos vs. Japan final score

Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth

Socceroos vs. Japan stats

Socceroos vs. Japan live updates, highlights and commentary

FULL-TIME: The Socceroos claim a memorable win as they all but book their spot at next year's World Cup! It was a lacklustre affair for the most part, but Australia held on and made the most of their final chance. 

90+2 min: A pause in play as the referee attends to a clash of heads.

90th min: GOAL FOR AUSTRALIA! IT'S AZIZ BEHICH!

The breakthrough comes from the most unlikely of sources! Riley McGree craftily turns away from his defender and darts into the box. His cut-back falls to Behich who curls in a stunning effort. Remarkably, that's the veteran defender's first international goal in 13 years. What a time to do it.

90TH MINUTE. AZIZ BEHICH 🥶

A goal worth waiting 13 years for 😉

🎥 @10FootballAU #Socceroos #AUSvJPN pic.twitter.com/1lGtevNgoF

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 5, 2025

89th min: Suzuki swings in a free kick for Japan but no one can connect with it at the far post.

86th min: Some fans are starting to file out of Optus Stadium as the match enters the final stages.

81st min: Chance! Kubo finds himself in space on the edge of the box and attempts to caress the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal. He has Ryan beaten, but pushes his shot wide.

80th min: Another attempt from Popovic to add some attacking spark, with Arzani brought on to replace Metcalfe.

77th min: The Socceroos head the ball in the air twice in their opponents' box before it is collected by the 'keeper. They're still struggling to source clear-cut chances. 

73rd min: Substitutes McGree and Duke force Japan in a mistake at the back, but can't earn a corner. The former urges his teammates to press higher up the field.

71th min: Circati – who is back in action for the national team for the first time since suffering an ACL injury – has looked solid at the back. He's been trusted by Popovic for a crucial game and has been clean and tidy so far.

68th min: It's Australia's turn to make further changes, as Geria and Duke replace Miller and Borrello.

64th min: Japan have opted for two more substitutions – Kubo and Nakamura are on for Sano and Tawaratsumida.

60th min: Miller slings in a long throw which finds the head of Burgess. He can't generate the power to challenge Tani in goal, however.

58th min: Japan have found their rhythm again. Australia's interplay still feels forced, but their opponents are just knocking the ball around with ease.

56th min: Uh oh – we've already got a Mexican Wave taking place at Optus Stadium. That really underlines the lack of exciting chances thus far.

48th min: Chance! A sloppy pass from Japan's goalkeeper is poached by Borrello. He evades the nearest defender and snaps a dangerous ball into the box, which is cleared just in time by Watanabe. Behich then has a crack from deep but shoots high and wide.

46th min: Australia are already looking considerably better. They seem far more positive and proactive in these opening couple of minutes.

SECOND HALF: We're back underway in Perth! 

Teague and Boyle are off for Australia, replaced by Yazbek and McGree. For Japan, Seko comes on in place of Machido.

HALF-TIME: A lot of work for Australia to do if they want to win this match. They've had a concerningly low 29 per cent of possession and have failed to create a single clear-cut chance. Despite this, they head to the sheds without conceding. 

44th min: Japan's dominance continues but they still don't have a whole lot to show for it. Regardless, they look significantly more likely to score the opener.

37th min: Close... Hirakawa fizzes in a low shot which misses the target by a metre or so. Ryan had his angles covered in goal, though.

34th min: Metcalfe gets his head on Australia's first corner of the night but can't glance it on target. Remarkably, that's also the Socceroos' first shot of the match.

33rd min: Behich is brought down via a heavy Hirakawa challenge. No yellow card.

28th min: Chance! Suzuki runs through the Socceroos midfield untouched and attempts to curve the ball goalbound. He effort is wide, though.

24th min: First corner of the night, and it goes the way of the visitors. Machida drives it in low before it is nervously defended and cleared by Australia for another corner. The next delivery has more flight, but is confidently headed away.

21st min: The ball is fed into Boyle, who has the chance to turn and steam in on goal. However, he hesitates, and the Japanese defenders thwart him quickly. Australia need to be sharper and snappier.

16th min: Ohashi fires towards goal from the edge of the box – Japan's third shot already – but it ricochets off a teammate for a goal-kick.

12th min: The Socceroos have struggled to get a foothold on the match thus far. Crucially, Japan are winning the 50/50 balls and dictating play.

10th min: Tawaratsumida continues to trouble O'Neill on the left flank but is yet to send in a dangerous cross. 

6th min: Japan are enjoying the early share of possession and look fairly organised despite the sweeping selection changes.

3rd min: Tawaratsumida gets to Australia's by-line before spewing his cross out of bounds.

2nd min: A sloppy pass from Watanabe is intercepted by Metcalfe at the half-way line, but he can't feed the ball into Borello's feet.

KICKOFF: We're underway at Optus Stadium!

5 mins to kickoff: The teams are out, and it's time for the national anthems.

15 mins to kickoff: We have ideal conditions for a high-quality game of football in Perth tonight. Temperatures will only drop as low as 14c, with no rain forecast.

30 mins to kickoff: Australia haven't defeated the Samurai Blue since 2009 –  a 1-0 win at the MCG in a World Cup qualifier. The home team are on the back-foot in the head-to-head, too, winning just seven of their 28 meetings with Japan. 

45 mins to kickoff: Japan, who have already secured qualification, have named a relatively inexperienced squads for tonight's match. Several stars including Kaoru Mitoma, Reo Hatate, Ao Tanaka, Takumi Minamino and Daizen Maeda have been rested. Daichi Kamada will captain the side.

🔹𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗜 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘🔹
📝LINE-UP📝

23 #谷晃生(GK)
2 #関根大輝
4 #渡辺剛
5 #佐野海舟
7 #藤田譲瑠チマ
8 #鈴木唯人
9 #大橋祐紀
11 #平河悠
15 #鎌田大地(C)
16 #町田浩樹
20 #俵積田晃太

𝐒𝐔𝐁🔄
1 #鈴木彩艶(GK)
12 #大迫敬介(GK)
3 #高井幸大
6 #遠藤航
10 #久保建英
13… pic.twitter.com/gmntZOXOBf

— サッカー日本代表 🇯🇵 (@jfa_samuraiblue) June 5, 2025

1 hour to kickoff: It's officially a sell-out in Perth! Optus Stadium has a capacity of approximately 65,000 in rectangular field set-up, so the atmosphere should be top-class in Western Australia's capital. Will the fans in attendance cheer the Socceroos on to a memorable win?

HOW GOOD PERTH! #AUSvJPN is officially a sell out! 👏😍🏟️

🗞️ Details: https://t.co/aygznSf5uI#Socceroos #WAtheDreamState @WestAustralia pic.twitter.com/N4nsztwXsb

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 5, 2025

1 hour 15 mins to kickoff: Australia's line-up is in. Crucially, rising defender Alessandro Circati returns after recovering from an ACL injury. Connor Metcalfe is notably in action for the first time since September, while Ryan Teague steps into midfield to replace Jackson Irvine.

📋 STARTING XI

Here’s how we line up against Japan 👊

Alessandro Circati and Connor Metcalfe make their first appearances since September last year 💚💛#Socceroos #AUSvJPN pic.twitter.com/qABgDZrVxZ

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 5, 2025

1 hour 30 mins to kickoff: These two nations went head-to-head in Saitama in October. The Socceroos snatched a the lead via a Shogo Taniguchi and were fifteen minutes from claiming a surprise result. However, another own-goal – this time from Cameron Burgess – saw the match finish 1-1.

2 hours to kickoff: Welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Australia's World Cup qualifying match against Japan.

Socceroos vs. Japan lineups

Australia: 1. Maty Ryan (GK) – 3. Lewis Miller, 23. Alessandro Circati, 2. Milos Degenek, 21. Cameron Burgess, 16. Aziz Behich – 13. Aiden O'Neill, 17. Ryan Teague – 6. Martin Boyle, 11. Brandon Borrello, 8. Connor Metcalfe

Japan: 23. Kosei Tani (GK) – 2. Hiroki Sekine, 4. Tsuyoshi Watanabe, 16. Koki Machida – 11. Yu Hirakawa, 7. Joel Chima Fujita, 5. Kaishu Sano, 20. Kota Tawaratsumida – 15. Daichi Kamada, 8. Yuito Suzuki, 9, Yuki Ohashi

Socceroos vs. Japan TV channel, live stream in Australia

Fans can enjoy tonight's match on free-to-air TV via Channel 10.

Kickoff is scheduled for 9:10 pm AEST, with live coverage due to start at 8:30 pm AEST.

The game will also be live-streamed on Paramount+ and available for free on 10 Play.

Socceroos vs. Japan betting odds

Australia enter this match as very narrow favourites.

Odds per bookmaker Sportsbet.