World Cup: Irankunda makes history as Australia stun Turkey
Australia created an upset of some sort after beating the Turkish national team 2-0 in their World Cup Group D opener played at the BC Place Vancouver on Saturday night.
Turkey dominated possession in the encounter launching wave after wave of attacks against the opponent but failed to break down Australia’s disciplined team which created little but took their chances in the game.
In a swift counterattack, pacy Watford winger Nestory Irakunda gave the Australian’s the lead in the 27th minute of the match after he was set up by his teammate Paul Okon- Engstler. His goal makes him the youngest goalscorer in Australia history at the World Cup.
The Australian team were able to hold the Turkish team at bay with Abdulkerim Bardakci almost leveling scores three minutes later when he fired a swerving shot off the outside of his left boot which failed to beat the Australian goalkeeper.
In the Second half, Turkey started the game like a house on fire as they tried to equalize their lone goal deficit.
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Real Madrid midfielder Arder Guler took matters into his hands as he was at the heart of most Turkey attacks but was confronted by banks of Australians behind the ball as they conceded space on the flanks to pack the middle of the pitch.
The game plan by the Australian’s paid off in the 78th minute when Connor Metcalf scored the second goal for his team following another counterattack after the Turkish team were left exposed at the back for committing a lot of players in the opposition box in search for an equaliser.
The Australian team held on to their 2-0 advantage until the final blast of the whistle in a result that puts the team in second place in Group D behind United States of America.
Australia will play the United States at the Seattle Stadium and Turkey will play Paraguay at the San Francisco Bay Stadium in their next Group D matches at the FIFA World Cup on Friday, June 19, 2026.
