Australia beat Turkiye 2-0 in World Cup group opener
Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored as Australia opened Group D with a win over Turkiye in Vancouver.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Australia opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Turkiye in Group D, Al Jazeera reported, citing AFP and AP. The result put early pressure on a Turkiye side making its first World Cup appearance in 24 years.
Nestory Irankunda scored in the first half and Connor Metcalfe added a second after the break at BC Place in Vancouver, according to the report. Goalkeeper Patrick Beach made eight saves for Australia as FIFA President Gianni Infantino watched from the stands.
Al Jazeera reported that Australia coach Tony Popovic made major lineup calls before kickoff, leaving out captain and longtime goalkeeper Maty Ryan in favor of Beach, who was earning only his third cap. Vice-captain Jackson Irvine also started on the bench, with 21-year-old midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler selected instead.
The Australian lineup included 10 players making their World Cup debuts, according to the report. The changes paid off as Beach repeatedly denied Turkiye, while Okon-Engstler helped create the opening goal.
Beach holds off Turkiye pressure
Turkiye had more of the ball and territory, Al Jazeera reported, but Australia’s defensive shape and Beach’s saves kept the match scoreless until the 27th minute. Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler tested Beach with a powerful effort shortly before Australia struck.
Beach then found Okon-Engstler deep in Australia’s half, and the midfielder sent a long pass forward for Irankunda, according to the report. Irankunda controlled the ball, moved clear of the defense and finished low to give the Socceroos the lead.
Al Jazeera reported that Irankunda celebrated by running toward the touchline and mimicking former Australia captain Tim Cahill’s corner-flag boxing routine. Three minutes later, Turkiye nearly leveled when Abdulkerim Bardakci drove a shot from distance toward goal, but Beach touched it onto the post.
Beach stayed busy after halftime. Al Jazeera reported that he pushed away a Guler free kick in the 57th minute, preserving Australia’s lead as Turkiye continued to search for an equalizer.
Metcalfe seals the win
Australia made it 2-0 in the 75th minute, according to the report, when Metcalfe carried the ball from midfield and scored from 25 yards. The goal left Turkiye with too much to recover in the closing stages.
Irankunda, identified by Al Jazeera as Australia’s youngest men’s World Cup scorer, said after the match that the moment felt like “a dream come true.” He also credited the staff and Australian supporters for their belief in him.
Turkiye entered the tournament after qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 2002, when it finished third, Al Jazeera reported. The squad includes several players who regularly compete in the UEFA Champions League, but it could not break down Australia.
Australia is appearing at a sixth straight World Cup and seventh overall, according to Al Jazeera. At the 2022 tournament in Qatar, the Socceroos lost their opener to France, beat Tunisia and Denmark, then went out to eventual champion Argentina in the round of 16.
Group D also includes the United States and Paraguay. Al Jazeera reported that the United States beat Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles in the group’s other opening match.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.