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FWC: NED v JPN from 7am, SN ExtraSocceroos stun Turkey in World Cup victory
Anna Harrington, AAP • June 14th, 2026 6:06 pm
Nestory Irankunda slams home the first goal in a famous 2-0 win for the Socceroos over Turkey | Photo: AP
Nestory Irankunda has made the World Cup stage his own as the Socceroos pulled off one of their greatest ever victories with a stunning 2-0 upset win over Turkey.
Tony Popovic's Socceroos have one foot in the knockout stage after Irankunda, 20, became Australia's youngest World Cup goalscorer with a wonderful goal in the 27th minute, before Connor Metcalfe sealed victory with a glorious solo effort in the 75th.
The win on Saturday night (Sunday AEST) at Vancouver's BC Place sets up an enthralling clash with co-hosts the United States, who beat Paraguay 4-1 and lead Group D ahead of Australia, in Seattle on Friday.
Connor Metcalfe (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring the Socceroos' second goal | Photo: AP
Popovic, the first Australian to play and coach at a World Cup, was rewarded for his bold calls to start Irankunda and pick goalkeeper Patrick Beach over captain Maty Ryan and Paul Okon-Engstler over Jackson Irvine.
Beach brilliantly denied Abdulkerim Bardakci on the half-hour mark, Arda Guler in the 57th, Kerem Akturkoglu in the 75th and Hakan Calhanoglu in the 85th.
Australia defended like their lives depended on it, before Metcalfe's incredible solo run sealed a famous World Cup victory.
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FIFA World Cup 2026: USA, Turkey, Australia, Paraguay preview | Group D
