Australia spoils Türkiye’s return to the World Cup after winning by two clean goals

Australia spoiled Turkey’s return to the FIFA World Cup after a 24-year absence, with a 2-0 victory in their opening Group D match on Sunday, thanks to goals from Nestori Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe.

Australia opened the scoring with a counterattack when Irankunda controlled a long pass from Paul Okon-Engstler to pass one of the defenders and hit the net powerfully in the 27th minute from close range.

Australia’s solid defenses repelled all of Türkiye’s attacks before they doubled the lead in the 75th minute when midfielder Metcalf received the ball 20 yards (about 18 metres) and shot it powerfully into the net.

With this result, Australia ranks second in the group on goal difference behind the United States, after the co-hosting country won 4-1 over Paraguay last Friday.