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Australia lead Turkey 2-0 in their opening 2026 World Cup match.
After the USMNT thrashed Paraguay 4-1 last night in Los Angeles, Australia are in position to join them on three points atop Group D with a win here.
Nestory Irankunda fired the Australians into the lead midway through the first half with a clinical finish on the counter-attack.
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Very much enjoying Australia’s no mucking around approach. Pandemonium.
Patrick Beach has been outstanding for Australia too. I mean, it’s his third cap. Two brilliant saves.
75’ Australia 2-0 Turkey
All those shots from Turkey outside the box — and Connor Metcalfe drifts inside on to his left foot, and fires a true low shot that is so well placed, Cakir can’t keep it out.
Australia two up and now looking very good to seal an opening win here!
75’ Australia 2-0 Turkey
GOAL! METCALFE! IT’S TWO TO AUSTRALIA!
WOAH!
73’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Real pressure now from Turkey, who have come out firing since the restart.
Celik is in the box and at the byline. He tries to shoot from a tight angle, but Beach deflects it out for a corner and Australia have the height to deal with the set-piece threat.
Was another good save from Beach there, by the way.
72’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Yeah, the stadium crowd appeared to enjoy that blast over the PA.
We are back underway — no further changes yet though.
Worth noting that the clock doesn’t actually stop for the drinks break. The time is just added on at the end.
The Killers’ iconic “Mr Brightside” tune comes on over the speakers during the hydration break as the Telemundo broadcast looks at Arda Guler, quiet so far tonight, adjusting his shin pads.
Australia have been doing just fine, while Turkish stomachs must be sick.
Destiny is calling. Which side will answer?
Turkey need fewer Hollywood passes and more effective football.
68’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
The drinks break arrives at a good time for Australia, because that was getting ropey.
Mohamed Toure took a moment on the turf too, with either a muscle issue or cramp (same thing?!).
You can see more changes being needed for Tony Popovic, but 25 minutes is a long time to be in protection mode.
65’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
The dynamic of this game is switching now.
Australia not as composed when winning the ball back in their own half, and there are a few spaces opening up for Turkey to run at and attack.
Those spaces haven’t been there very often so far.
63’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Here come the changes as both coaches try to affect what’s happening out there.
Yunus Akgun is on for Orkun Kokcu for Turkey, while Nestory Irankunda is cooked.
Nishan Velupillay — a wonderful name to say aloud — is on in his place for the Aussies.
I fear Baris Alper Yilmaz was given the hook at half-time for having the worst hair cut at this World Cup aside from Gianni Infantino.
No, I don’t care I’ve already made a gag along those lines. We have observations to make here.
61’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Yildiz skips wide, into the box and looks like he’s about to pull the trigger.
Italiano sticks a toe out and it’s enough to disrupt the run.
Another win for pure defensive numbers in the box there.
59’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Having mentioned about the lack of mistakes, Nestory Irankunda then makes one to concede a free kick in Arda Guler range.
The Real Madrid man takes it and forces a decent save from Beach. The rebound situation is a little more scratchy but Australia finally clear their lines, and then the following corner too.
But Turkey are just starting to force the issue here, and the Australian starters might be tiring a little.
How Tony Popovic plays it from here will be fascinating. Lock in or keep an attacking threat?
Even after Vincenzo Montella turned to Kenan Yildiz, Turkey’s midfield remains short on both speed and depth.
56’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Australia are going to be a serious threat from set pieces, judging by that corner.
Burgess and Souttar are HUGE.
53’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Hard to not feel like Turkey have been a little disappointing here so far. Australia are outworking them and look like they have matters pretty much under control.
Their risks have tended to come away from their own half.
And zing! Aussie corner and Harry Souttar’s downward header is excellently saved by Ugurcan Cakir.
49’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
The counter from Australia is textbook here. Mohamed Toure drives them forward, Jordan Bos is up to his left in support.
He gets to cut onto his right foot in the box too. But there’s a handy block to deflect the shot wide — and the following corner comes to little thereafter.
Those spaces might well open up as this half goes along too, if the scoreline doesn’t change.
47’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Show of intent from Hakan Cahlanoglu, who takes aim from range — but his shot is straight into the midriff of Patrick Beach.
46’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Back out head Australia after the half-time break. No changes for them.
But a change for Turkey, as Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz comes on for a quiet Baris Alper Yilmaz.
And it’s Turkey who get us back underway.
Team Stats
AUS
TUR
Game Details
