Irankunda and Metcalfe Stun Türkiye as Australia Win 2–0
Australia defeated Türkiye 2–0 at BC Place in Vancouver in their first World Cup match since 2022. Nestory Irankunda finished a swift counter-attack in the 27th minute after Paul Okon-Engstler's pass, becoming Australia's youngest World Cup goalscorer at 20, and Connor Metcalfe curled in a superb second from distance in the 75th minute.
Despite Türkiye controlling 72% possession and outshooting Australia 30–9, Patrick Beach made eight saves to preserve a clean sheet in his competitive debut. Irankunda was named Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match after a display that announced Australia as genuine Group D contenders.
The result leaves Australia level on three points with the United States ahead of their Seattle meeting on 19 June. Türkiye, back at a World Cup for the first time since 2002, face Paraguay in Santa Clara on the same day.
Sources
- https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/285023/289273/400021463
- https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/760421/turkiye-australia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_D
- https://www.fotmob.com/matches/turkiye-vs-australia/1gr3uk
- https://socceroos.com.au/match/australia-v-turkiye-fifa-world-cuptm-2026-15-06-2026/22278773