Australia down Turkey (2-0) as Irankunda lights up Vancouver
The Socceroos strike first in Group D thanks to Irankunda and Metcalfe against a blunt Turkey.
Australia made a dream start in Group D of the 2026 World Cup by beating Turkey 2-0 at BC Place in Vancouver, one of Canada's premier venues for the tournament. Under the retractable roof of the stadium that hugs Downtown beside False Creek, the Socceroos defended stoutly and finished the job with poise against one of Europe's most feared sides.
The match opened in the 27th minute when Nestory Irankunda latched onto an assist from Patrick Okon-Engstler to beat the Turkish keeper and ignite the Australian fans. The clincher arrived in the 75th, a strike from Cameron Metcalfe that left Turkey with no reply as they went home empty-handed. The only booking of the night fell on Yunus Akgün in the 86th, a sign of the visitors' frustration late on.
Tony Popovic set up a solid 5-4-1 with Paul Beach in goal and a back five anchored by Harry Souttar, leaving Mohamed Toure as the lone striker and Irankunda as the dagger out wide. The Australian coach's defensive plan worked perfectly to neutralise the opposition's talent.
Across the pitch, Vincenzo Montella lined up an ambitious 4-2-3-1 with Uğurcan Çakır in goal and a creative midfield built around Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Arda Güler, plus Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Barış Yılmaz up top. Despite the individual quality, the Turks could not find a way through.
With these three points, Australia take command of Group D and leave Turkey needing a response in a 2026 World Cup group stage that, with 48 nations spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada, punishes early slip-ups.