Turkish Delight For Aussies In Vancouver: Young Socceroos Scalp 2002 Semi-Finalists In Massive World Cup Shock
Australia stunned highly-fancied Turkey 2-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D opener at Vancouver's BC Place on Saturday. Making their sixth consecutive appearance, the Socceroos relied on defensive resilience and counterattacks, while Turkey -- playing their first World Cup since finishing third in 2002 -- dominated possession but could not breach Aussie goalkeeper Patrick Beach, who made eight saves. Eventually, goals from Nestory Irankunda (27') and Connor Metcalfe (75') proved more than enough for Tony Popovic's young team. Following the USA's 4-1 win over Paraguay earlier, the Group D standings see the co-hosts first (+3 GD, 3 pts), AUS second (+2 GD, 3 pts), TUR third (-2 GD, 0 pts), and PAR fourth (-3 GD, 0 pts). Australia will next meet the United States in a battle for the top spot in Seattle, while Turkey head to Santa Clara for a must-win encounter against Paraguay to keep their round of 32 qualification hopes alive. Both matches are scheduled for June 19.
Turkey fans show their support before Turkey takes on Australia during a World Cup Group D soccer match, in Vancouver, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP
Australian players warm up before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Australia's Jackson Irvine warms up before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Australia's and Turkey's anthems play before a World Cup Group D soccer match in Vancouver, Canada, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP
Australia players pose for a team photo prior to the first half of their World Cup Group D soccer match against Turkey, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP
Turkey starting eleven pose for a photo before the first half of their World Cup Group D soccer match against Australia, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP
Turkey's Orkun Kokcu (6) challenges for the ball with Australia's Aiden O'Neill (13) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Turkey's Arda Guler (8) controls the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir (23) leaps for the ball over teammates Turkey's Baris Alper Yilmaz (21) and Turkey's Ismail Yuksek (16) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, Canada, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Emma Peterson
Australia's Mohamed Toure (9) and Turkey's Abdulkerim Bardakci (14) express themselves to each other for a play during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Kaleb Tatum
Australia's Nestory Irankunda, center, celebrates after scoring their opening goal during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Australia's Nestory Irankunda (17), Australia's Mohamed Toure (9) and Australia's Jacob Italiano (4) celebrate a goal against Turkey during a World Cup Group D soccer match, in Vancouver, Canada, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP
Australia head coach Tony Popovic gestures during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
A toy kangaroo flies through smoke from a flare as fans celebrate in Sydney, Sunday, June 14, 2026, after an Australian goal against Turkey in their World Cup Group D soccer match. AP Photo/Rick Rycroft
Turkey's Hakan Calhanoglu (10) and Australia's Nestory Irankunda (17) collide vying for the ball during first half Group D World Cup soccer action, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP
Australia's Harry Souttar (19) and Turkey's Barıs Alper Yılmaz (21) vie for the ball during the first half of a World Cup Group D soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP
Australia's Nestory Irankunda (17) and Turkey's Ismail Yuksek (16) jump to head the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Turkey's Hakan Calhanoglu (10) makes a tackle on Australia's Jordan Bos (5) during second half group D World Cup soccer action in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP
Players wince as Turkey's Ugurcan Cakir (23) kicks the ball away during second half group D World Cup soccer action against Australia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP
Australia's Connor Metcalfe (8) celebrates with Australia's Jordan Bos (5) after scoring their second goal during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Australia's Connor Metcalfe (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Fans of Turkey react in Sydney, Sunday, June 14, 2026, as Australia and Turkey play in their World Cup Group D soccer match. AP Photo/Rick Rycroft
Australia's Mohamed Toure (9) and Tete Yengi (26) celebrate after the World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Fans celebrate in Sydney, Sunday, June 14, 2026, after Australia defeated Turkey in their World Cup Group D soccer match. AP Photo/Rick Rycroft
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