{"id":735930,"date":"2026-06-14T12:00:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T12:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/735930\/"},"modified":"2026-06-14T12:00:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T12:00:19","slug":"world-cup-socceroos-down-turkiye-with-nestory-irankunda-and-connor-metcalfes-wondergoals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/735930\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup: Socceroos down T\u00fcrkiye with Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe’s wondergoals"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Socceroos have claimed an incredible 2-0 win over T\u00fcrkiye in their first World Cup group match thanks to sensational goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe.<\/p>\n

Irankunda’s wonderful run and finish gave Australia a lead at half-time, before Metcalfe matched him with a fine solo effort to confirm the result as the Socceroos’ defence held firm.<\/p>\n

The 20-year-old Irankunda was named the Player of the Match for his tremendous World Cup debut.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Nestory Irankunda (right) was named the Player of the Match after giving the Socceroos a lead with his 27th-minute opener. (Getty Images: Jared C. Tilton – FIFA)<\/p>\n

“It’s effing unreal,” Irankunda said of the win.<\/p>\n

“Like it’s a dream come true. You know we’ve got the win now. We worked extra hard. We fought ’til the end. And it’s just an exciting moment.”<\/p>\n

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic made a controversial selection call, dropping skipper Mat Ryan in favour of young goalkeeper Patrick Beach, and was rewarded handsomely as Beach thwarted T\u00fcrkiye with eight saves.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Beach and Australia’s defence, led by stand-in captain Harry Souttar, was under immense pressure to begin the second half before Metcalfe’s stunning 75th-minute strike from outside the penalty area.<\/p>\n

“When I saw that ball go in, the feeling that went through my body, I can’t explain it,” Metcalfe said.<\/p>\n

“For it to be my first World Cup, my first game, and to score, it couldn’t have gone any better.<\/p>\n

“Honestly, I wasn’t even really thinking. I just took the ball, I didn’t even look at anyone else, I just looked up and seen the goal and I just shot, and luckily it was perfect placement.<\/p>\n

“I’m so proud of all the boys. Honestly, the shift we’ve just put in, we deserve it, it was unbelievable.”<\/p>\n

The result gives Australia a great chance of securing one of the top two spots in Group D ahead of the knockout stage, with the United States in top spot after its 4-1 win over Paraguay on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n

Australia’s next World Cup fixture is against the United States in Seattle next Saturday morning (AEST).<\/p>\n

Follow the live blog below for a recap of all the action as it happened.<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 2:00pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 2:00pm<\/p>\n

Socceroos vs T\u00fcrkiye live\"ChrisSun 14 Jun 2026 at 5:19pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 5:19pm<\/p>\n

Signing off for the day\"Chris<\/p>\n

Well that’s where I’m going to leave things tonight. That’s one of the most enjoyable blogs I’ve ever done.<\/p>\n

Socceroos. Irankunda. Beach. Metcalfe. How bloody good!<\/p>\n

Bring on the United States baby. Catch you all next time.<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 5:02pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 5:02pm<\/p>\n

A look at tomorrow’s World Cup fixtures\"Chris<\/p>\n

We’ve got another four matches on deck tomorrow as the World Cup continues:<\/p>\n

3am: Germany vs Curacao6am: Netherlands vs Japan9am: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador12pm: Sweden vs TunisiaSun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:59pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:59pm<\/p>\n

When are the Socceroos next in action?\"Chris<\/p>\n

Australia’s next match will be at 5am AEST on Saturday, June 20 against the United States at Seattle Stadium.<\/p>\n

The Socceroos will then wrap up its group stage fixtures with a clash against Paraguay at 12pm AEST on Friday, June 26 at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:49pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:49pm<\/p>\n

Where does this result leave things in Group D?\"Chris<\/p>\n

Each of Group D’s teams \u2014 United States, Paraguay, Australia and T\u00fcrkiye have now played.<\/p>\n

The Americans are currently topping the group on goal difference thanks to their 4-1 win over Paraguay.<\/p>\n

Australia is in second spot with a goal difference of +2 after this win, with both sides on three points.<\/p>\n

That result today gives the Socceroos a HUGE chance of advancing.<\/p>\n

It is likely that next Saturday’s clash against the US will decide who will top Group D.<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:42pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:42pm<\/p>\n

The streets are utterly thrilled at this result\"Chris<\/p>\n

Nestory Irankunda is my new favourite Socceroo…<\/p>\n

– Mike<\/p>\n

Absolutely loving the attack mindset and Beach\u2019s save was world class. Using our pace and high balls inside. It\u2019s the best I\u2019ve seen Australia in years and it\u2019s so thrilling. Popovic deserves due recognition for his bravery.<\/p>\n

– Guy<\/p>\n

Defence brilliant. Skilfully played. Totally excited with the 2 goals.<\/p>\n

– Therese Wood<\/p>\n

I was quite shocked when the line up was announced BUT WOW PATRICK BEACH TAKE A BOW!<\/p>\n

– Jacquin<\/p>\n

The Ossie coaching staff out coached turkiye. They impacted this game from the start. The Ossie talls were amazing and turkiye did not have any aerial threat….great job…Ossie Ossie ossie<\/p>\n

– Tony Orlando<\/p>\n

Yewwwwww! Can’t stop smiling<\/p>\n

– Tom<\/p>\n

We’re going through some of the comments you guys have sent through, and there is A LOT of love for the Socceroos.<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:37pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:37pm<\/p>\n

Scenes from Melbourne’s Fed Square at the whistle\"ChrisSun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:33pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:33pm<\/p>\n

Metcalfe says Australia ‘can beat anyone’ after T\u00fcrkiye heroics\"Chris<\/p>\n

Here’s Connor Metcalfe, Australia’s second-half goalscorer on that moment.<\/p>\n

“When I saw that ball go in, the feeling that went through my body, I can’t explain it,” he says.<\/p>\n

“For it to be my first World Cup, my first game, and to score, it couldn’t have gone any better.<\/p>\n

“Honestly, I wasn’t even really thinking. I just took the ball, I didn’t even look at anyone else, I just looked up and seen the goal and I just shot, and luckily it was perfect placement.<\/p>\n

“I’m so proud of all the boys. Honestly, the shift we’ve just put in, we deserve it, it was unbelievable. Everyone was switched on for 90 minutes, and when the subs came on, they did their job.”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, on being written off by everyone, Metcalfe says he and his teammates are “used to it”.<\/p>\n

“We’re used to being the underdog, but I think with our mentality, we can beat anyone,” he says.<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:29pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:29pm<\/p>\n

Nestory Irankunda is your Player of the Match\"Chris\"NestoryNestory Irankunda was named the Player of the Match after scoring a terrific first-half goal. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Nestory Irankunda is named the Player of the Match after scoring on his World Cup debut.<\/p>\n

Irankunda, like everyone else, is absolutely rapt as he speaks after this one.<\/p>\n

“It’s effing unreal,” he says.<\/p>\n

“Like it’s a dream come true. You know we’ve got the win now. We worked extra hard. We fought ’til the end. And it’s just an exciting moment.<\/p>\n

“At the end of the day you got to let these people talk, they can talk all they want but at the end of the day you’ve got to put the performance on the field and we’ve done that today.<\/p>\n

“So we’ve got to focus on the next game but we celebrate now and we regroup now.”<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:21pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:21pm<\/p>\n

‘Proud to be here’: Popovic reacts to 2-0 win over T\u00fcrkiye\"Chris\"TonyTony Popovic’s big selection calls were vindicated with a 2-0 win over Turkiye. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Tony Popovic is absolutely rapt with this result, and rightly so as well.<\/p>\n

“Proud to be here as head coach, to experience this,” he says.<\/p>\n

“Put a smile on these people’s faces that have travelled so far to support us. And just so happy for a wonderful young group of men.”<\/p>\n

Popovic’s big pre-match call was to leave out skipper Mat Ryan in favour of Patrick Beach, and he explains it.<\/p>\n

“It’s something that, you know we’ve always seen (his quality) and I’ve got a lot of belief in the young man. And yeah he stood up today so very happy for him,” he says.<\/p>\n

Popovic was very impressed by his young players rewarding him tonight.<\/p>\n

“Yeah it’s quite special,” he says.<\/p>\n

“You see the young boys combining to score a goal and can’t underestimate what this will do for their confidence and belief.<\/p>\n

“Emotionally, it will take a lot out of the players this game. So, we’ve got to get back and recover well and focus on the US.”<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:15pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:15pm<\/p>\n

Have a look at the reactions from inside BC Place\"Chris<\/p>\n

BC Place is going to be an Australian monument from this moment onwards because the Socceroos have delivered a night we’ll never forget.<\/p>\n

\"SocceroosSocceroos fans were absolutely rapt after seeing their side record a 2-0 win. (Getty Images)\"SocceroosSocceroos players celebrate with the travelling fans after the 2-0 win. (Getty Images)\"PatrickPatrick Beach celebrates after one of his eight saves against Turkiye. (Getty Images)Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:11pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:11pm<\/p>\n

‘Australia silenced a lot of people’: Kewell on Socceroos result\"Chris<\/p>\n

Socceroos great Harry Kewell is thrilled at Australia’s response after being written off pre-World Cup.<\/p>\n

“The one thing in football is when people talk, the best way to silence them is on the pitch,” he says on SBS’s coverage.<\/p>\n

“I think tonight Australia silenced a lot of people, which is fantastic.”<\/p>\n

“When you talk too much, it does have a way of silencing you,” adds Mark Milligan<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:09pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 4:09pm<\/p>\n

A look at some of the numbers from Australia’s 2-0 win\"Chris<\/p>\n

As we exhale and then inhale more beer across Australia in celebration of this result, here’s a look at the final stats.<\/p>\n

Possession: T\u00fcrkiye 72%-28%\u00a0Expected Goals (xG): T\u00fcrkiye 1.33-0.77Total Shots: T\u00fcrkiye 30-9Shots on Target: T\u00fcrkiye 8-4Touches in Opposition Box: T\u00fcrkiye 52-17Big Chances: T\u00fcrkiye 2-1Accurate Passes: T\u00fcrkiye 635-202Corners: T\u00fcrkiye 8-5Total Passes: T\u00fcrkiye 704-270Tackles: Australia 16-13Interceptions: Australia 6-4Blocks: Australia 12-1Clearances: Australia 55-29Saves: Australia 8-2Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:57pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:57pm<\/p>\n

FT: Australia 2-0 T\u00fcrkiye (Irankunda 27′, Metcalfe 75′)\"Chris\"HarryHarry Souttar (centre) was massive at the back as the Socceroos began their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

THE SOCCEROOS CLAIM A HUGE THREE POINTS IN VANCOUVER!<\/p>\n

The whistle sounds and Tony Popovic is mobbed by his coaching staff after quite a remarkable World Cup opener.<\/p>\n

It is the first time the Socceroos have won their first match at a World Cup since they defeated Japan 20 years ago thanks to that iconic Tim Cahill brace.<\/p>\n

The T\u00fcrkiye players look absolutely shattered out there. They have thrown EVERYTHING at this Socceroos side, but have been unable to break down a very disciplined defence.<\/p>\n

It is a stark contrast to the Socceroos, who are absolutely cock-a-hoop out there as they celebrate.<\/p>\n

Nestory Irankunda with the first-half opener and then Connor Metcalfe’s brilliant strike from outside the box sealed it.<\/p>\n

Once the Socceroos went ahead by two goals, it was over to the defence, and namely stand-in skipper Harry Souttar, who was absolutely sensational.<\/p>\n

Souttar, Alessandro Circati and Cam Burgess thwarted attack after attack, both aerially and on the ground, to preserve the clean sheet.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, after much consternation about his selection, Patrick Beach was outstanding between the sticks, recording a remarkable EIGHT saves on his World Cup debut.<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:56pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:56pm<\/p>\n

90+5′: Souttar with another huge stop\"Chris<\/p>\n

Harry Souttar is closing the door here for the Socceroos!<\/p>\n

He gets in the way of another centred header and Patrick Beach is able to gobble up the ball.<\/p>\n

Australia 2-0 T\u00fcrkiye<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:55pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:55pm<\/p>\n

90+4′: Souttar with a triple clearance\"Chris<\/p>\n

Harry Souttar has been an absolute ROCK in defence!<\/p>\n

He makes a trio of clearances to keep the Turkish attacks at bay.<\/p>\n

Unbelievable stuff from the Socceroos skipper tonight.<\/p>\n

Australia 2-0 T\u00fcrkiye<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:54pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:54pm<\/p>\n

90+3′: Turkish pleas for a corner go unheard\"Chris<\/p>\n

A massive cheer goes up among the Australian fans in the building as Turkey’s pleas for a corner are ignored.<\/p>\n

Just three minutes left for T\u00fcrkiye to try and find two goals.<\/p>\n

Australia 2-0 T\u00fcrkiye<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:53pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:53pm<\/p>\n

90+2′: Burgess with another clearing header\"Chris<\/p>\n

The Socceroos defenders have been so commanding tonight!<\/p>\n

Cam Burgess gets his head on yet another cross, before Harry Souttar clears on a low cross.<\/p>\n

Australia 2-0 T\u00fcrkiye<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:51pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:51pm<\/p>\n

90′: We’re into stoppage time in the second half\"Chris<\/p>\n

The fourth official holds up the board and signals for six minutes of added time.<\/p>\n

Australia is almost there.<\/p>\n

Australia 2-0 T\u00fcrkiye<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:50pm<\/p>\n

Sun 14 Jun 2026 at 3:50pm<\/p>\n

88′: Deniz G\u00fcl on as T\u00fcrkiye makes final push\"Chris<\/p>\n

Deniz G\u00fcl has taken the place of Kerem Akt\u00fcrko\u011flu as we head towards stoppage time in the second half.<\/p>\n

T\u00fcrkiye still unable to break open this sturdy Socceroos defence.<\/p>\n

Australia 2-0 T\u00fcrkiye<\/p>\n

Show more postsABC Sport Daily podcast<\/a><\/p>\n

ABC Sport Daily is your daily sports conversation. We dive into the biggest story of the day and get you up to speed with everything else that’s making headlines.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Socceroos have claimed an incredible 2-0 win over T\u00fcrkiye in their first World Cup group match thanks…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":735931,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[63,596,43,160,44,42150,41,39,42,40,13195,3926,21418],"class_list":["post-735930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-australia","tag-football","tag-headlines","tag-live-blog","tag-news","tag-socceroos","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories","tag-turkiye","tag-vancouver","tag-world-cup"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/735930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=735930"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/735930\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/735931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=735930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=735930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=735930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}