Vancouver: Australia produced a tactical masterclass to beat Türkiye 2-0 in their Group D opener at BC Place, combining a compact defensive block with rapid counter-attacks to frustrate a star-studded Turkish side.
Nestory Irankunda opened the scoring in the 26th minute, finishing a swift transition move by slotting past goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Türkiye responded at half-time by introducing Juventus youngster Kenan Yıldız, but their best period came between the 65th and 73rd minutes when Arda Güler dropped deep to try to unlock the Australian rearguard.
Just as Türkiye appeared poised to equalise, Australia struck again in the 74th minute. Connor Metcalfe finished a fast break to double the lead, killing off the visitors’ momentum and sealing a famous victory for the Socceroos.
The result lifts Australia level with the United States atop Group D on points, with goal difference separating the sides. Next up, Australia travel to Seattle to face the United States on June 19, while Türkiye meet Paraguay in the San Francisco Bay Area the same day.