Australia 3-1 China: Goodwin a hometown hero in Adelaide

Craig Goodwin scored a stunner and set up Australia’s equaliser as they beat China 3-1 in Tony Popovic’s first game in charge.

Popovic replaced Graham Arnold in September and, despite seeing his team fall behind in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier, was ultimately able to celebrate a convincing win.

Goodwin was playing in front of a hometown crowd in Adelaide and smashed in a long-range, left-footed strike to put Australia in front in the 53rd minute.

The 32-year-old had earlier crossed in for Lewis Miller to head home on the stroke of half-time.

Miller’s goal cancelled out Xie Wenneng’s 20th-minute opener for China.

Substitute Nishan Velupillay completed the scoring late on, marking his debut in style just nine minutes after coming on.

A Goodwin Golazo

Craig Goodwin marks his first #Socceroos game in his hometown with a beauty #AUSvCHN pic.twitter.com/Lt9jYmubIV

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) October 10, 2024

Data Debrief: Goodwin gets Australia going

Goodwin has had 12 shots at goal and created 27 scoring chances for Australia in 2024 – the only Socceroos player to have logged 10+ in both categories.

Australia won from behind in World Cup qualifying for the first time since beating Syria in 2017, as they snapped a two-match scoreless run.

China, meanwhile, have lost their last four matches, conceding 13 goals in that run. They last lost four straight games in 2003.