Tanzanian-born Irankunda inspires Australia to stunning win over Turkey
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 14.06.26. | 09:10
Australia set to face the United States on Friday in a crucial Group D showdown, while Turkey will look to recover when they take on Paraguay in their second group match.
Australia began their World Cup Group D campaign with a disciplined and impressive 2-0 victory over Turkey on Sunday morning at BC Place in Vancouver, delivering a performance built on resilience, organisation and clinical finishing.
Turkey entered the match as favourites and controlled long spells of possession, particularly in the opening half. They created several promising chances through Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and İsmail Yüksek, while Abdülkerim Bardakcı came agonisingly close when his effort struck the post. However, despite their dominance on the ball, they struggled to break down Australia’s well-structured defensive block.
Patrick Beach was a key figure in Australia’s resistance, producing a series of important saves to keep his side in the contest as Turkey applied sustained pressure.
Against the run of play, Australia struck in the 27th minute. Tanzanian-born forward Nestory Irankunda made a perfectly timed run onto a defence-splitting pass and finished calmly past Uğurcan Çakır to give the Socceroos a surprise 1-0 lead.
After the interval, Turkey increased their intensity and pushed further forward in search of an equaliser. Kenan Yıldız, Güler and Çalhanoğlu all tested the Australian defence, but Beach remained composed and sharp, producing several crucial interventions, including a late reflex save to deny 5
Australia doubled their advantage in the 75th minute. Connor Metcalfe drove into space on the edge of the penalty area before striking a precise low effort into the bottom corner, leaving Çakır with no chance.
In the closing stages, Turkey continued to press aggressively. Merih Demiral went close with a late header that narrowly missed the target, while further efforts from Güler and Çalhanoğlu were once again denied by the inspired Beach. Even with six minutes of added time, Australia maintained their structure and saw out the match professionally.
Kenya-born winger Awer Mabil was an unused substitute as Tony Popovic’s side managed the closing stages effectively.
Attention now turns to the next round of fixtures, with Australia set to face the United States on Friday in a crucial Group D showdown, while Turkey will look to recover when they take on Paraguay in their second group match.
WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE
First round
Thursday, 11.06.
Mexico - South Africa 2-0 (1-0)
/Quinones 9, Jimenez 67/
Friday, 12. 06.
South Korea - Czech Republic 2-1 (0-0)
/Hwang In Beom 67, Oh Hyeon-Gyu 80 - Krejci 59/
Canada - B&H 1-1 (0-1)
/Larin 78 - Lukic 21/
Saturday, 13.06.
USA - Paraguay 4-1 (3-0)
/Bobadilla 7 og, Balogun 31, 45+5, Reyna 90+8 - Mauricio 73/
Qatar - Switzerland 1-1 (0-1)
/Khoukhi 90+4 - Embolo 17 pen/
Brazil - Morocco 1-1 (1-1)
/ Vinicius, 42- Saibari 21/
Haiti 0-1 Scotland
/9McGinn-29/
Australia-Morocco 2-0 (1-0)
/Inrankunda 27, Metcalfe,75/
Sunday, 14.06.
20.00: (1.03) Germany (15.0) Curacao (50.0)
23.00: (2.10) Netherlands (3.45) Japan (3.50)
Monday, 15.06.
02.00: (3.60) Ivory Coast (2.90) Ecuador (2.30)
05.00: (2.00) Sweden (3.35) Tunisia (4.00)
19.00: (1.10) Spain (9.50) Cape Verde (27.0)
22.00: (1.70) Belgium (4.00) Egypt (4.75)
Tuesday 16.06.
01.00: (7.50) Saudi Arabia (4.20) Uruguay (1.47)
04.00: (1.95) Iran (3.35) N.Zealand (4.20)
22.00: (1.47) France (4.50) Senegal (6.75)
***odds are subject to change***
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