Thrilling Upsets and Dominant Victories Mark Asia's Third Round of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Bahrain upset Australia 1-0 due to a late own goal in Asia's World Cup Qualifiers. Japan decimated China 7-0, while South Korea struggled to a 0-0 draw against Palestine. The qualifiers saw diverse outcomes across various groups, determining contenders for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Bahrain secured a surprising 1-0 victory over Australia in a dramatic finish, thanks to a late own goal by Harry Souttar. This marks Bahrain's first win against Australia, giving them an excellent start in their quest to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time.

Japan showcased their dominance by thrashing China 7-0, with Takumi Minamino scoring twice in quick succession post-interval. Wataru Endo and Kaoru Mitoma set the pace early, and the Japanese squad continued their unrelenting attack, culminating in a sealing goal by Takefusa Kubo.

South Korea's new head coach, Hong Myung-bo, faced challenges in his first match back, as his team was unable to bypass Palestine's solid defense, ending in a goalless draw. Thursday's matches set the stage for the upcoming fixtures, including Iraq vs. Oman and Saudi Arabia vs. Indonesia.

(With inputs from agencies.)