World Cup 2026 | Australia 2 - 0 Turkey
Australia upset Turkey in their World Cup opener
Nestory Irankunda became Australia's youngest World Cup goalscorer as a youthful Socceroos side stunned Turkey.
Author | Josh T
Stadium | BC Place Vancouver
The Watford forward struck a superb first-half goal before Connor Metcalfe added a second to hand Tony Popovic's team the ideal start to their Group D campaign in Vancouver.
At 20 years and 125 days old, Irankunda eclipsed the record previously held by Brett Holman, who scored against Ghana at the 2010 World Cup aged 26 years and 84 days.
The former Bayern Munich player was one of 10 World Cup debutants named by Popovic in Australia's starting XI, making it the country's youngest side at a World Cup since their meeting with France in 2018.
Irankunda's finish was of the highest quality. A deft touch after collecting a pass from Paul Okon-Engstler created the space he needed before he drove a low effort beyond the goalkeeper.
Turkey are appearing at a World Cup for the first time since 2002
They controlled long spells of the contest but were unable to find a way past Australia at BC Place. Defender Abdulkerim Bardakci tried his luck from distance and forced an excellent save from goalkeeper Patrick Beach, who tipped the effort on to the post.
Beach, preferred to Mat Ryan as he made his first competitive international appearance, also produced important saves to deny Arda Guler from a free-kick and Zeki Celik from close range after the interval.
Metcalfe then capitalised on some careless play from Turkey before drilling a low finish into the bottom corner to seal a memorable victory for Australia.
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