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 game in his hometown with a beauty
— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos)
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.
