Japan 1-0 Australia: Women’s Asian Cup 2026 final - as it happened

Brave Matildas fall short in decider at Stadium Australia Hamano wonder strike enough for Japan to claim third crown This will be the 29th time these two sides have met. Japan hold the upper hand with 12 wins to Australia’s eight. The most recent clash was almost exactly one year ago at the SheBelieves Cup in Houston with Japan running out 4-0 winners. Nine of Australia’s likely starting XI started that match, but it did come during the interminable interregnum between Tony Gustavsson and J...

By Jonathan Howcroft