China 0-4 Japan Highlights, AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Final: Samurai Blue Claim Back-To-Back Titles

Greetings and welcome, football faithfuls. We are back with another live blog and this time it is the title showdown of the AFC U23 Asian Cup between China and Japan. Watch this space for the build-up and live updates.

The match kicks off at 8:30pm IST. The China vs Japan, AFC U23 Asian Cup final will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website in India. It will not be telecast on any TV channel in the country.

It's a pulsating start to the final, as Japan, kicking from right to left, press forward straight away and put the Chinese defence under pressure. The Dragon Team's well-known backline structure holding firm for now.

Here's a quick look at the two teams' past face-offs at the AFC U23 Asian Cup: This will be the second meeting between China and Japan at the tournament, with Japan winning the lone encounter in the group stage of the 2024 1-0.

Japan draw first blood in the 12th minute! Yuto Ozeki strikes from distance and the ball takes a bit of a deflection from a Chinese shirt before nestling into the net. A VAR check ensues for offside, but the goal stands and the Samurai Blue are in the lead.

The Chinese defence is breached again! This time it is Kosei Ogura, who whips in a superb right-footer from distance into the right corner. Li Hao is uncharacteristically beaten for the second time in eight minutes, and Japan are in the driver's seat.

Meanwhile, in the English Premier League, Manchester City lead Wolves 1-0 and Brighton are up 1-0 against Fulham. Earlier, West Ham beat Sunderland 3-1 at home while later in the evening, Liverpool visit Bournemouth.

After a couple of minutes of added time, the referee brings the first half to an end in Jeddah. Japan go into the interval with a healthy two-goal lead, and given how well the Samurai Blue defend, it's hard to see China turn the tide, if not for something magical in the second half.

The teams are back from the mid-game break and the second half gets underway at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium. China now kicking from right to left and Japan the other way.

Japan have a third! Ryunosuke Sato stays calm to convert a penalty in the 60th minute, even as Chinese goalie Li Hao tries to chatter away to distract him. The Samurai Blue are now steadfastly marching towards their third AFC U23 Asian Cup title, leaving China no space for a comeback.

The party continues for Japan. Kosei Ogura nets his second goal of the night to put the Samurai Blue 4-0 up, and surely seal their victory in the 76th minute. This is already the highest number of goals scored in a final of the AFC U23 Asian Cup, and would be the largest margin of victory if the scoreline stays this way.

The final whistle is blown and Japan are champions again! The Samurai Blue become the first team in AFC U23 Asian Cup history to clinch back-to-back titles, capping their defence with a superlative 4-0 victory over China. Spare a thought for the Dragon Team too, however, who were outclassed in the final but had already created history by advancing past the group stage for the first time in the competition.