The Socceroos have defeated Türkiye 2-0 to begin their FIFA World Cup 2026™ campaign in the best possible way.
Nestory Irankunda scored his first World Cup goal midway through the first half before Connor Metcalfe sealed the result with a fantastic strike in the second half. It is the team's fifth ever victory at a World Cup, and puts them in the best possible chance to advance from the group for the third time in history.
Head Coach Tony Popovic made five changes from the final pre-tournament friendly against Switzerland. Jacob Italiano, Jordy Bos, Connor Metcalfe, Cameron Burgess and Mohamed Toure came back into the side for the all-important World Cup opener.
Patrick Beach retained his place in goals for only his third appearance for the national team, and Paul Okon-Engstler started in midfield for only his seventh.
Ten of the starting eleven made their World Cup debut in this game.
The game started at a high tempo. The ball flowed from end-to-end as both teams looked to take advantage of transitional moments and set pieces.
It was from one of those moments that Australia would take the lead. Paul Okon-Engstler launched a ball forward. Nestory Irankunda used his explosive pace to get in behind the defenders, taking a couple of touches before placing a composed finish past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
It was Irankunda’s first World Cup goal and his sixth in senior internationals. It was a moment built from the Socceroos present and future, with 20-year-old Okon-Engstler assisting 21-year-old Irankunda.
22-year-old Patrick Beach played his part moments later. Abdülkerim Bardakci lined up a shot on the edge of the area and hit it extremely well. He was denied by an extraordinary save by Beach, requiring a full-length dive to tip it onto the post and away from danger.
Türkiye enjoyed the majority of possession for the remainder of the half, but Australia continued to create chances, including a strike from Irankunda just before the end of the half.
The second half started in a promising fashion. Minutes into the half, Mohamed Toure laid it off to Jordan Bos after finding space in behind, whose shot was deflected behind for a corner. Australia continued to threaten in transition with the pace in behind and, at the other end, threw bodies in the way to defend stoically.
Beach was forced into another fantastic save when Türkiye had an opportunity from a direct free kick. He did well to keep out young Real Madrid star Arda Güler’s strike.
The first change from Popovic came in the 61st minute. Goalscorer Nestory Irankunda was withdrawn to a standing ovation. He was replaced by Nishan Velupillay, who made his first World Cup appearance.
Türkiye had a good chance in the 72nd minute. Zeki Çelik found space in behind, but his shot on a tight angle was saved by Beach. Australia continued to throw numbers in the way of the ball as Türkiye continued to have the majority of chances and possession.
Two more changes came for Australia, with Tete Yengi replacing Mohamed Toure for his World Cup debut and Jason Geria replacing Jacob Italiano.
Despite the defence, Australia never gave up pushing in attack where possible. They were rewarded with another goal in the 75th minute. Connor Metcalfe found space outside the penalty area. He shifted it onto his left foot, curling it into the corner of the net to double the Socceroos advantage.
It was only his second international goal, and his first at a World Cup.
Beach was again called into action minutes later, saving from a close-range Kerem Aktürkoglu strike.
The experience of Jackson Irvine and Aziz Behich was introduced in the 84th minute to help the team see out the game. They replaced the impressive Paul Okon-Engstler and Jordan Bos.
Even as Türkiye continued to press, the Socceroos held strong for a clean sheet and a famous victory.
Match Summary
Australia: 2 (Irankunda 27’, Metcalfe 75’)
Türkiye: 0
Australia: 18. Patrick Beach (GK), 3. Alessandro Circati, 4. Jacob Italiano (6. Jason Geria 74’), 5. Jordan Bos (16. Aziz Behich 84’), 8. Connor Metcalfe, 9. Mohamed Toure (26. Tete Yengi 74’), 13. Aiden O’Neill, 17. Nestory Irankunda (23. Nishan Velupillay 61’), 19. Harry Souttar (c), 21. Cameron Burgess, 24. Paul Okon-Engstler (22. Jackson Irvine 84’)
Unused substitutes: 1. Maty Ryan (GK), 12. Paul Izzo (GK), 2. Milos Degenek, 7. Mathew Leckie, 10. Ajdin Hrustic, 11. Awer Mabil, 14. Cameron Devlin, 15. Kai Trewin, 20. Cristian Volpato, 25. Lucas Herrington
Yellow Cards: NA
Türkiye: 23. Ugurcan Çakir (GK), 2. Zeki Çelik (18. Mert Müldür 81’), 3. Merih Demiral, 6. Orkun Kökcü (19. Yunus Akgün 62’), 7. Kerem Aktürkoglu (9. Deniz Gül 85’), 8. Arda Güler, 10. Hakan Çalhanoglu, 14. Abdülkerim Bardakci, 16. Ismail Yüksek (5. Salih Özcan 81’), 20. Ferdi Kadioglu, 21. Baris Alper Yilmaz (11. Kenan Yildiz 45’)
Unused substitutes: 1. Mert Günok (GK), 12. Altay Bayindir, 4. Caglar Söyüncü, 13. Eren Elmali, 15. Ozan Kabak, 17. Irfan Kahveci, , 22. Kaan Ayhan, 24. Oguz Aydin, 25. Samet Akaydin, 26. Can Uzun.
Yellow Cards: 19. Yunus Akgün 86’