Socceroos' Shock Victory.
Australia Stuns Turkey 2-0 in World Cup Opener with Key Goals and Eight Saves.
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Australia pulled off one of the tournament's first upsets, blanking Turkey 2-0 in their World Cup Group D opener at BC Place in Vancouver. Nestory Irankunda and Conner Metcalfe scored against the run of play, while 22-year-old goalkeeper Patrick Beach made eight saves to shut out a Turkish side that controlled the ball for 72% of the match. AP reported it as Australia's first opening-match win since 2006.
The result flips the FIFA rankings between the two sides. Australia climbs four spots to 23rd. Turkey drops to 27th — the same position Australia held before kickoff, according to Field Level Media.
Irankunda and Metcalfe Strike Against the Flow
Turkey dominated on paper. They had 30 total shots to Australia's nine and eight corners to Australia's one. But clinical finishing decided the match. In the 27th minute, Irankunda latched onto a lofted long ball from Paul Okon-Engstler, outran three defenders, and slotted a low shot into the left corner, according to AP. The 20-year-old Watford winger punched the corner flag in tribute to Tim Cahill.
The second goal came from a Turkey mistake. Ismail Yüksek gave the ball away in midfield in the 75th minute. Metcalfe drove to the edge of the box and struck a low left-footed shot that clipped the post and went in, per AP. Coach Tony Popovic praised Metcalfe's fitness, noting his strong recent form with German club St. Pauli.
Beach Steals the Show in a Huge Goalkeeper Gamble
The match's biggest story came before kickoff. Popovic dropped veteran captain Mathew Ryan — who has 104 caps — in favor of Beach, who had never played a competitive game for Australia before Sunday. Popovic defended the call simply: "I just wanted to play Patrick," according to Football360.
Beach justified the gamble. He made a fingertip save on a Abdulkerim Bardakcı blast in the 30th minute, tipping it onto the post. In the 57th minute, he dived to his right to stop an Arda Güler free kick that was headed for the bottom corner. Socceroos legend Mark Milligan called the decision to start Beach over Ryan "enormous," while Squawka called it a "goalkeeping masterclass."
Turkey's Return After 24 Years Ends in Frustration
This was Turkey's first World Cup since 2002, when they finished third. They qualified through a playoff win against Kosovo. Experts expected a strong showing. Instead, The Guardian described their attack as lacking "cutting edge," noting they poked and prodded with short passes but couldn't break Australia's defensive block.
Real Madrid star Arda Güler was Turkey's main creative threat but was shut out all night. Coach Vincenzo Montella drew criticism for tactical stiffness and failing to use his players' overlapping runs effectively. Turkey must now beat Paraguay on June 25 to stay alive in the tournament, according to The Guardian.
Australia Now Faces Host USA in Seattle Showdown
Australia sits second in Group D with three points, behind the United States on goal difference. The US beat Paraguay 4-1 in their opener. Australia faces the US on June 19 in Seattle. A win could secure Australia's spot in the knockout rounds early, per The Guardian.
The result marks a generational shift for the Socceroos. Irankunda became Australia's youngest World Cup goalscorer. Beach, at 22, replaced one of the country's most capped players and delivered one of the match's standout performances. FOX Sports noted Popovic validated his "bold selection calls" with the result.
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