It’s the smash-and-grab to end all smash-and-grabs and one that means everything to Australia. In the 90th minute of a game in which the Socceroos had been besieged by Japan, in which a rampant Samurai Blue had done everything but fashion that clearcut chance they needed to score a winning goal, Aziz Behich went back across his body and bent a shot with his non-preferred right foot beyond Kosei Tani and into the back of the net. With one fell swoop, with his first goal in green and gold in 13 years, the veteran defender had all but ensured that Australia punched their tickets to the 2026 Fifa World Cup and, in doing so, cemented his place in Australian football folklore.
Pandemonium gripped Perth Stadium. Behich streaked away towards the corner flag before being enveloped by teammates from every direction. On the sidelines, Tony Popovic let out a guttural roar before embracing his staff while the pyrotechnics were going off in the stands and strangers embraced each other in delirious jubilation.
