World Cup
Advertisement
live
Updated
Australia lead Turkey 1-0 in their opening 2026 World Cup match.
After the USMNT thrashed Paraguay 4-1 last night in Los Angeles, these teams are trying to keep pace in Group D.
Nestory Irankunda fired the Australians into the lead midway through the first half with a clinical finish on the counter-attack.
Share your views with us by joining the Discuss tab or by emailing live@theathletic.com.
Turkey’s defence is lacking pace and it’s vulnerable to counterattacks here, for sure.
HT: Australia 1-0 Turkey
And there is the half-time whistle, which comes with huge cheers from the Australia fans.
That was a perfect half in terms of outcome. Nestory Irankunda making his mark in fine style.
Turkey had more than enough of the ball to cause problems though. They need to find some composure amid the Aussie heat in the second half.
A long way to go in Vancouver yet.
45+4’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Another chance for Akturkoglu in the box but he can’t sort his feet and force the shot on goal from a few yards.
At one point, there were EIGHT gold shirts with him in the penalty box. Sometimes it’s just a simple case of maths.
And that is going to be half-time.
45+2’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Turkey got a look there at a five-on-three counter and then provided a masterclass in how not to execute it.
Little variation in the runs, a dithering decision, a pass behind its intended recipient.
What a waste. Turkey will not have many such opportunities behind the stout Australia defence.
45’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
More promise for Australia as they win the ball high up for once, Bos then finds Irankunda free in that left channel again — but he just loses his footing at the crucial moment.
A few seconds later, he is in a shooting position again. This time, his shot is down the barrel and Gunok can hold.
Irankunda making an impact tonight alright.
Four added minutes to come.
I complained plenty to my friends and family about games starting at midnight ET this tournament, but now I find myself at a bar in downtown Toronto watching the Socceroos go ahead and I’m quite happy for the random kick-off time.
Fine, I’ll concede my anger.
42’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Arda Guler yet to find his range. He cuts inside and fires well wide from a central position, again outside the Australia penalty box.
Turkey up to nine efforts on goal now — two on target and four of them from inside the 18-yard box.
39’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
This really is the ideal scenario for Australia right now — and the longer they can keep this lead, the more things plan into their hands in terms of sitting tight, sucking up space and then springing on the counter.
But when you’re starting with 10 World Cup debutants, you are also asking a lot. And this Turkey pressure is still looking awkward for them.
To be clear, Patrick Beach did well there. He did not disappear like a sandcastle at high tide.
My apologies in advance.
I’ve seen Bardakci play four times this season and he is best described as “meaty” centre-back.
He is also left-footed so think of him as a Turkish Neil Ruddock.
You can decide whether that is a compliment. He thumped the post with that shot.
33’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
There was a great chance for Arda Guler just before Australia’s goal — and then moments after, Abdulkerim Bardakci launched a shot from range and forced Patrick Beach into his first proper save.
Turkey’s response is in full flow.
It seems that whatever confederation you hail from, there are no easy games at this World Cup.
The hunters became the hunted.
Nestory Irankunda a man who does think about his goal celebrations.
In a warm-up win back in March, he scored a goal against Curacao and was thrown a glove so he could perform a Michael Jackson dance.
Who knows what else we could get if he keeps scoring.
Nestory Irankunda with a wonderful retro goal celebration, the classic “Tim Cahill shadow boxing the corner flag”.
The sea of yellow in the Vancouver stadium erupts.
27’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
Great bit of vision from Okon-Engstler to chip the ball in behind Turkey’s backline.
From there, Irankunda takes over — running full pelt, taking a big touch inside and then producing an excellent finish to drill inside the near post.
It’s pretty awful defending to get caught like that, but genuine quality to take the chance from the Watford forward.
27’ Australia 1-0 Turkey
WOAH! What a goal! Lightning burst and finish from Nestory Irankunda!
Australia lead!
I was worried the 9pm local kick-off time — surely one of the latest of the tournament — would impact the intensity of the crowd.
It has not. Not at all! Loud back and forth.
There were plenty of Australian and Turkish fans on my flight from Toronto this morning and they’re likely bringing it too.
A hydration break is exactly what this game needed, just as it threatened to break into an amble.
Team Stats
AUS
TUR
Game Details