China's U23 football team delivered a heart-pounding performance on Sunday, securing a 1-0 victory over Australia in Riyadh to claim the top spot in Group D at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. The win follows their opening draw against Iraq, proving the squad’s growing resilience under coach Antonio Puche.
Defender Peng Xiao became the unlikely hero, scoring a rare goal in the 43rd minute after capitalizing on a chaotic box scramble. 🛡️⚡ Australian players fought back fiercely in the second half, but goalkeeper Li Hao stole the spotlight with two jaw-dropping saves that left fans chanting his name.
Drama peaked in stoppage time when a deflected shot appeared to equalize for Australia—only for VAR to rule it out due to a handball. The decision sparked wild celebrations among Chinese supporters as the final whistle confirmed their team’s knockout-stage momentum.
With four points, China now eyes Wednesday’s match against Thailand, while Australia faces Iraq in a must-win showdown. Will this young squad bring home China’s first U23 title? Stay tuned! 🔥🇨🇳
