LIVE: Socceroos’ dream start to must-win World Cup qualifier with halftime lead

The Socceroos’ hopes of direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are on the line tonight, facing another must-win clash as they travel to face China. Live below!

They led 2-0 after 29 minutes following a classy finish just inside the box from Jackson Irvine, and a blunder from the Chinese goalkeeper allowing Nishan Velupillay’s relatively standard short-range shot to sneak through.

A win would put Australia in the box seat for automatic qualification. They began the night second in the group and one point ahead of their only real threat to pass them, Saudi Arabia, who are facing group leaders Japan tonight. They were 0-0 at halftime.

The Socceroos thumped Indonesia 5-1 in Sydney last week to put themselves in the box seat in a group dominated by Japan, who have already automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

With a win tonight over China, Australia would be virtually guaranteed at least a place in the next round of qualifying (which involves another, shorter group stage).

Combined with a Saudi Arabia loss tonight, the Socceroos would be four points clear with two games to play, needing just one more win in their last two matches to clinch a spot at the World Cup.

In that scenario, even with a loss to Japan in Perth in June, a draw away to the Saudis would be enough for the Socceroos to qualify.

But if Saudi Arabia draws with or beats Japan tonight, and/or if Australia draws with or loses to China, the path gets much tougher with the automatic qualifying spot to go down to the final two matchdays.

The Socceroos defeated China 3-1 when they played in Adelaide last October, but tonight’s hosts are in a must-win scenario of their own, needing to escape the group basement and overcome their poor goal difference if they’re to live up to their own government’s high expectations and qualify for the expanded World Cup.

TEAM NEWS

The Socceroos made three changes from the side that defeated Indonesia last week, with Ryan Teague given his first cap along with the returns of Milos Degenek and Brandon Borrello.

Socceroos XI: Maty Ryan (GK), Lewis Miller, Jason Geria, Milos Degenek, Cameron Burgess, Aziz Behich, Ryan Teague, Jackson Irvine, Martin Boyle, Nishan Velupillay, Brandon Borrello

Bench: Kye Rowles, Anthony Caceres, Kai Trewin, Daniel Arzani, Paul Izzo (GK), Aiden O’Neill, Jason Davidson, Mitch Duke, Tom Glover (GK), Alex Grant, Fran Karacic, Craig Goodwin

AFC WORLD CUP QUALIFYING GROUP C STANDINGS (Start of night)

1. Japan [Q] (6 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses), +22 goal difference, 19 pts

2. Australia (2 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss), +5 goal difference, 10 pts

3. Saudi Arabia (2 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses), -2 goal difference, 9 pts

4. Indonesia (1 win, 3 draws, 3 losses), -7 goal difference, 6 pts

5. Bahrain (1 win, 3 draws, 3 losses), -7 goal difference, 6 pts

6. China (2 wins, 0 draws, 5 losses), -11 goal difference, 6 pts

Australia’s remaining games: vs China in Hangzhou tonight 10pm AEDT, vs Japan in Perth on June 5, vs Saudi Arabia away on June 10

Also playing tonight: Japan vs Saudi Arabia in Saitama (9:35pm AEDT), Indonesia vs Bahrain in Jakarta (Wednesday 12:45am AEDT)

Top two nations qualify directly for World Cup

Third and fourth enter fourth round of AFC qualifying

You can only watch the Socceroos vs China live via Ten’s paid streaming service.

Follow the match below or in our Match Centre!