Australia stun Turkiye 2-0 in World Cup counterattacking masterclass
Australia kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Turkiye in Group D, thanks to goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, and a stellar goalkeeping performance from Patrick Beach who made eight saves.
Australia secured a surprise 2-0 win over Turkiye in their Group D opener at the 2026 World Cup on Saturday night in Vancouver, Canada, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in attendance. Turkiye, making their first World Cup appearance in 24 years, dominated possession but could not find a way past Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach, who made eight saves.
Australia coach Tony Popovic made bold selection decisions, dropping experienced captain and goalkeeper Maty Ryan in favor of Beach, who was earning only his third cap. Vice-captain Jackson Irvine was also left out, with 21-year-old midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler given a start. The starting XI featured 10 World Cup debutants.
Both decisions paid off. Beach produced a string of fine saves to deny Turkiye, who had most of the ball but lacked cutting edge. Okon-Engstler played a key role in the opening goal, splitting the Turkish defense with a long ball that sent Nestory Irankunda racing through to score. Irankunda celebrated by mimicking Tim Cahill’s iconic boxing celebration at the corner flag.
Turkiye thought they had equalized in the first half when Abdulkerim Bardakci’s powerful shot was headed for the net, but Beach got a fingertip to divert it onto the post. In the second half, Beach continued his heroics, turning away a free kick from Real Madrid’s Arda Guler.
Australia made the game safe in the 75th minute when Connor Metcalfe picked up the ball in midfield, advanced, and fired home from 23 meters (25 yards).
“Unreal. It is a dream come true. We have got the win now,” said Irankunda, who became the youngest men’s World Cup scorer for Australia. “It feels amazing. You have got to thank the staff, thank the nation. They have got the belief in me.”
Australia are playing in their sixth consecutive World Cup. They lost their opener in Qatar 2022 to France but then beat Tunisia and Denmark before bowing out to eventual champions Argentina in the round of 16. Turkiye, playing in their third World Cup, have not appeared since finishing third in 2002.
The teams are in Group D alongside the United States and Paraguay. The US thrashed Paraguay 4-1 in their group opener on Friday in Los Angeles.
