• Australia get Tony Popovic-era off to winning start with 3-1 victory
• Lewis Miller, Craig Goodwin and Nishan Velupillay goals seal points

Australia’s World Cup 2026 dream is alive after a come-from-behind 3-1 win over China in Adelaide on Thursday night.

At 1-0 down nearing half time the Socceroos stared into the abyss, the very real prospect of World Cup failure staring back at them. But goals by Lewis Miller and Craig Goodwin either side of half time, and a stoppage time effort from Nishan Velupillay, rescued a valuable three points in Tony Popovic’s first outing as Socceroos manager.