15 June,2026 09:18 AM IST | Vancouver (Canada) | AP
Nestory Irankunda celebrates scoring against Turkey on Sunday. Pic/AFP
Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored as Australia spoiled Turkey's return to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years with a 2-0 victory on Saturday night.
Goalkeeper Patrick Beach made eight saves for the Socceroos in their group opener as FIFA President Gianni Infantino looked on.
Irankunda broke through for the Socceroos in the 27th minute with a low shot while pursued by three defenders. It came less than a minute after the first-half hydration break.
Irankunda celebrated by punching the corner flag in a tribute to Australian football legend Tim Cahill.
The 20-year-old who plays for Watford is the Socceroos's youngest-ever goal scorer at a World Cup.
Metcalfe then capitalised on Ismail Yuksek's turnover in the 75th minute to double the Australia's lead.
Turkey maintained 72 per cent of possession during the match and outshot the Socceroos 30-9, but couldn't manage to score.
Irankunda said the team took issue with comments Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu made a day before the match, proclaiming that his side had "more qualities and a more talented team."
"Yeah, it was extra motivation. Obviously we don't like people to talk bad about us because we're a great team. People underestimate us," said Irankunda.
Earlier, Boualem Khoukhi scored an equalising goal via a header in the fourth minute of stoppage time, as Qatar shared the spoils with Switzerland in a 1-1 draw in Group B.
Striker Breel Embolo scored for Switzerland from the penalty spot in the first half just over a week after being cleared to enter the US following a visa delay, but the European failed to capitalise on multiple other scoring chances in the game.
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