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China scores sole goal in penalty against Bahrain to end World Cup qualifying campaign(Xinhua) 08:55, June 11, 2025
Wang Yudong (front) of China scores a penalty during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Bahrain in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
CHONGQING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- 18-year-old young forward Wang Yudong scored a late penalty for China as the home team beat Bahrain 1-0 here on Tuesday to finish its FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying journey.
After losing to Indonesia and Saudi Arabia respectively last Thursday , China and Bahrain had been eliminated from the group and failed to qualify for next phase of Asian qualifier playoff tournament.
In the last round "match of honor", both teams had few chances to score in the first half.
China controlled the second half as Wang frequently penetrated through the left wing to create goalscoring opportunities, but his multiple shots were denied by Bahrain goalkeeper.
In the 93rd minute, the teenager finally bagged his first international goal as he converted the late penalty with composure, after Wang Ziming's cross forced a handball foul in Bahrain's penalty area.
China had nine points from three wins and seven losses in the World Cup qualifiers, ranking fifth in the Group C, three points ahead of Bahrain.
The group leader Japan has already secured the berth into next year's World Cup, while Saudi Arabia and Australia will battle for another berth in a direct head-to-head.
Wang Yudong (front) of China scores a penalty during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Bahrain in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Referee Adel Ali Alnaqbi (R) gestures for a handball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Bahrain in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Players of China greet spectators after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Bahrain in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Wang Yudong (R) of China reacts after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Bahrain in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Wang Yudong (R) of China greets his teammate Liu Chengyu after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Bahrain in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Wang Yudong (top) of China celebrates his goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Bahrain in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Head coach of China Branko Ivankovic greets spectators after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Bahrain in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)
Wei Zhen (R) of China vies with Husain Abdulkarim Abdulaziz of Bahrain during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)
Liu Chengyu (L) of China vies with Amine Benaddi of Bahrain during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Mohamed Marhoon (L) of Bahrain shoots the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Bahrain in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)
Wang Yudong of China scores a penalty during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Bahrain in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)
Players of China greet spectators after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Bahrain in Chongqing, southwest China, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)
