The Socceroos' future has arrived early, as Australia's next generation delivered one of their best World Cup victories, upsetting highly-fancied Turkey 2-0 in Vancouver to start their 2026 campaign in style.
Young Stars Shine
They can thank a trio of young stars, all of whom were in doubt to start the match. Nestory Irankunda finished a brilliant end-to-end attack with a goal in the 27th minute, assisted by midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler. Young goalkeeper Patrick Beach – thrust into the starting side in a pre-match selection shock – pulled off a series of dazzling parries, including one in the first half that will be a contender for save of the tournament.
Second-Half Resilience
Australia sat back in the second half as Turkey pushed for an equaliser. Dangerous winger Kenan Yildiz came on at half-time on the left flank and gave his side a new level of invention. The talented Turkish players poked and prodded with short passes around the Australian penalty area but the Socceroos held firm, reaching the final drinks break with their lead intact despite a series of near misses and heroic blocks.
Not long after the margin was doubled, when Connor Metcalfe smashed a left footer from the edge of the area as the counter-attacking Socceroos streamed forward. It triggered wild scenes, as the players gathered at the end of the ground marked by a huge wedge of yellow fans.
Irankunda's Moment of Magic
Irankunda's opening goal was a Socceroo sugar rush, cooked up by Paul Okon-Engstler. The midfielder's lofted ball over the top was pounced upon by the scintillating forward, who took a touch inside one defender and finished coolly with a sidefooted effort, as three shirts in red and the Turkish goalkeeper converged. They only arrived in time to watch the new face of Australian football celebrate by reviving Tim Cahill's goal celebration, going toe-to-toe with the corner flag. He was soon consumed by a crowd of Socceroos – including what seemed to be the entire bench – as the travelling fans celebrated like it was Kaiserslautern 2006.
Selection Shocks
There was a shock an hour before kick-off when the Socceroos' team was announced. Irankunda's inclusion, and defender Cam Burgess keeping Lucas Herrington on the bench, were notable. Okon-Engstler starting in midfield rather than veteran Jackson Irvine raised eyebrows. But the jaws of the 10,000 or so Australians in Vancouver were already on the floor.
Tony Popovic had selected Patrick Beach to start at goalkeeper. The 22-year-old Melbourne City player performed well against Switzerland the week before, but no Socceroo has played more World Cup matches than Ryan with 10, and the 34-year-old had been in good form for Levante in Spain's La Liga. It meant the team, captained by 27-year-old Harry Souttar, oozed with youth. The average age was 24, and Burgess was the oldest at 30.
Nervy Start
So their tentative start might have been expected. The first 10 minutes saw Turkey enjoy 73% of possession, as Australia largely parked themselves in their own half. Their most positive moments early came through direct balls into channels, trying to find space for Touré who was being marked tightly by Abdulkerim Bardakci. Moments of indecision and miscommunication left hollow the players' words earlier this week that they would start better than they have in recent matches.
Despite the nervy performance, the Socceroos reached the first drinks break square. Popovic walked straight to Irankunda and Touré and with his arms addressed the pair like they were an orchestra, and he a conductor. Three minutes later, Irankunda delivered his stunning solo.
Beach's Heroics
If Popovic's selection of the young winger was vindicated in that moment, it was the turn of Beach to repay the coach's faith barely a minute later. The young keeper stretched and with his fingertips pushed a powerful long shot from Bardackci onto the post. The evidence wasn't initially clear whether the keeper had made the save, but when Beach punched the air in celebration, the case was closed.
Beach repeated the feat early in the second half, diving low to his right this time to save a free-kick from Arda Guler. And he delivered two more stunning second-half saves to keep Turkey at bay in a sparkling performance that signals the arrival of a new national hero.
