2026 World Cup: Australia stun Turkiye 2-0 in counterattacking masterclass
Australia secure 2-0 win in Group D courtesy of goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe.
Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored as Australia spoiled Turkiye’s return to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years with a 2-0 victory.Goalkeeper Patrick Beach made eight saves for the Socceroos in their group opener on Saturday night as FIFA President Gianni Infantino looked on.Australia coach Popovic had pulled off a massive shock in his starting lineup, dropping experienced captain and goalkeeper Maty Ryan in favour of Beach, winning only his third cap.
Vice-captain Jackson Irvine was also dropped in favour of 21-year-old midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler in a starting XI that featured 10 World Cup debutants.Both of those selections proved to be inspired, with Beach pulling off a string of fine saves to deny Turkiye, who dominated possession and territory but could not find a way past the Australian goalkeeper.Okon-Engstler meanwhile was instrumental in setting up the opening goal in the first half, unleashing a long ball that split the Turkish defence and sent Irankunda racing in on goal to score.
Turkiye – playing in the World Cup for the first time since finishing third at the 2002 tournament – arrived in North America dreaming of making a serious run in the knockout rounds.But their talented team made up largely of players who regularly compete in the European Champions League were unable to get to grips with a well-organised Socceroos lineup.One of Turkiye’s best chances came in the 27th minute when Real Madrid’s Arda Guler forced a smart save from Beach with a rasping shot.
Just seconds after that chance though Australia took the lead.Beach picked out Okon-Engstler deep in the Australia half, and the 21-year-old midfielder pumped the ball upfield for Irankunda.The Australia winger still had plenty to do but a clever first touch took him clear of the covering defence before he tucked away a low finish.
Irankunda celebrated by sprinting to the edge of the pitch and pretending to box the corner flag, mimicking former Australia skipper Tim Cahill’s signa
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