Australia's World Cup hopes receive a lift after a last-minute strike seals a narrow 1-0 victory against Cameroon

Australia's Jordan Bos celebrated scoring a crucial goal in the international friendly match against Cameroon at Stadium Australia in Sydney on March 27, 2026, securing a confidence-boosting victory for his team.

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The match, which ended 1-0 in favor of Australia, was a lacklustre affair with few opportunities until Bos scored the winner with just five minutes left to play.

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Australia's Ajdin Hrustic missed a penalty in the much-needed win, which followed two losses in the previous international window, including a 1-0 defeat to Venezuela and a 3-0 loss to Colombia.

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The friendly was part of the FIFA Series 2026, a mini-tournament that also features Curacao, who lost 2-0 to China in an earlier match at the same venue.

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According to Bos, Australia struggled to break through in the first half, but kept pushing in the second half, creating chances that eventually led to his winning goal.

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Bos emphasized the importance of the win, saying it was crucial for the team's morale as they prepare for the World Cup.

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Australia's coach, Tony Popovic, used the match to assess some of his inexperienced players, including 18-year-old Lucas Herrington and Deni Juric, who made their debuts for the team.

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Despite some initial nerves, neither Herrington nor Juric struggled to make an impact in the lively opening stages of the match as Australia pressed for an early breakthrough.

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However, the team struggled to maintain control against a young Cameroon side that is rebuilding after failing to qualify for the World Cup.

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The first half saw few chances, with both teams missing a creative spark on a slippery pitch that made it difficult for players to maintain their footing.

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Popovic made changes to his lineup for the second half, replacing Juric and Martin Boyle with Awer Mabil and Nestory Irankunda, which led to an increase in intensity.

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The substitution paid off, with Cameroon debutant Oliver Kamdem conceding a penalty with 20 minutes left, although goalkeeper Devis Epassy denied Hrustic's attempt.

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Irankunda went close to scoring on two occasions as the clock ticked down, setting the stage for Bos's late heroics, which saw him beat a defender after receiving a pass from Paul Okon.

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Australia is set to compete in World Cup Group D, where they will face co-hosts the United States, Paraguay, and a yet-to-be-determined European nation.