VANCOUVER, B.C. — Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored and Australia spoiled Turkiye’s return to the World Cup for the primary time in 24 years with a 2-0 victory on Saturday evening.
Goalkeeper Patrick Seashore made eight saves for the Socceroos of their group opener as FIFA President Gianni Infantino seemed on. Australia was enjoying in its sixth straight World Cup and seventh general.
Turkiye reached the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup however then missed 5 straight tournaments earlier than qualifying this 12 months by beating Kosovo in a playoff.
Irankunda broke via for the Socceroos within the twenty seventh minute with a low shot whereas pursued by three defenders. It got here lower than a minute after the first-half hydration break.
Irankunda celebrated by punching the nook flag in a tribute to Australian soccer legend Tim Cahill. The 20-year-old who performs for Watford is the Socceroo’s youngest-ever aim scorer at a World Cup.
Minutes later Seashore stopped Abdulkerim Bardakcı’s blast from distance. Seashore began in aim for the Socceroos fairly than skilled counterpart Matthew Ryan in a shock determination from coach Tony Popovic.
Kenan Yildiz, a 21-year-old who performs for Juventus, was not within the beginning lineup however subbed in for Turkiye at half-time.
Turkiye had a harmful free kick within the 57th minute, however Arda Güler’s try was saved by Seashore. Güler, a proficient 21-year-old attacking midfielder who performs for Actual Madrid, was not but born the final time Turkiye performed within the World Cup.
Connor Metcalfe capitalized on Ismail Yüksek’s turnover within the seventy fifth minute to double the Socceroos’ lead. The Socceroos fell to France within the opener in Qatar however then beat Tunisia and Denmark of their group earlier than getting knocked out by eventual champion Argentina within the spherical of 16.
It’s the third World Cup look for the Turks, who reached the event for the primary time in 1954.
The groups are in Group D with the US and Paraguay. The People downed Paraguay 4-1 of their group opener on Friday in Los Angeles.
