Australia advanced to the final round of World Cup qualification, thanks to a magnificent performance from winger Craig Goodwin in a dominant 5-0 victory over Lebanon. Goodwin scored two goals and assisted on two more in Canberra’s GIO Stadium, helping the Socceroos to clinch a comfortable victory. Kusini Yengi and John Iredale scored their first international goals on a dream night for Graham Arnold’s team, as Australia continues to look for a long-term solution up front.
They are now guaranteed a spot in the third-round qualifiers, which begin in September, with a top-two result in a six-team group advancing them to the 2026 showcase tournament. If the Socceroos deliver better performances in the upcoming matches and qualify, they will make their sixth consecutive appearance in the FIFA World Cup.
The Canberra audience had to wait only two minutes for Australia to take the lead, with center-forward Yengi scoring after an inch-perfect curling cross from Goodwin. Yengi was in the proper place, but his close-range shot hit the post before he scored the rebound. Goodwin’s delivery into the box often tested the Lebanese defense, with Ajdin Hrustic shooting from the edge of the area after 30 minutes following one of the winger’s most penetrating passes.
Another enticing ball from the outside of his boot invited Harry Souttar to add to his outstanding international total, but the towering center-back’s close-range header hit the post. But those missed opportunities were insignificant, as Goodwin produced a tempting set-piece pass that forced Lebanese defender Bassel Jradi to turn the ball into his own net just two minutes into the second half.
Soon after, Goodwin got space on the left wing and fired a dipping volley past Lebanon’s custodian Mostafa Matar from well outside the box. Goodwin, who missed last week’s 2-0 victory over Lebanon due to a viral infection, rocketed in a long-range drive after half-time and steered in the final goal in the 81st minute to the joy of a record crowd of 25,023 at the stadium.
Arnold made four changes to the team, including Goodwin up front, and exploited the second-half lead to give Patrick Yazbek and Josh Nisbet their debuts. Yazbek had an early impression by sending in a brilliant cross that Iredale easily converted. Five days after a 2-0 victory over the same opponent in Sydney, the Socceroos looked significantly more dangerous in attack and put in a disciplined defensive effort that gave their opponents few chances.
