Australia 2-0 Türkiye: Brillant Socceroos stun favorites in World Cup opener
Tony Popovic pulled off a masterclass in selection bravery as his youthful Australia side produced a stunning 2-0 upset against a highly fancied Turkey to open their World Cup Group D campaign in style.
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The Socceroos manager made the audacious call to drop long-serving captain Mat Ryan for 22-year-old debutant goalkeeper Patrick Beach, while also benching vice-captain Jackson Irvine. The gamble paid rich dividends at a raucous BC Place in Vancouver, where Beach produced an inspired eight-save performance to completely frustrate Vincenzo Montella’s side.
Turkey, returning to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2002, started with the intent of tournament favorites. Real Madrid’s teenage prodigy Arda Guler and captain Orkun Kokcu orchestrating the early tempo, but the European side lacked a clinical edge. Guler fired warning shots over the bar, but the Socceroos’ disciplined five-man backline refused to buckle.
Then, against the run of play in the 27th minute, Australia struck with lethal counter-attacking precision. Midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler picked up the ball deep in his own half and unfurled a magnificent, defense-splitting pass over the Turkish line. The lightning-quick Nestory Irankunda pounced on it, taking a sublime first touch to completely evade Zeki Celik before ruthlessly drilling a low finish inside Ugurcan Cakir’s near post.
The goal made the young winger the youngest Australian ever to score at a FIFA World Cup. In a nod to the past, he celebrated by sprinting to the corner flag to unleash a volley of shadow-boxing punches, mimicking the iconic celebration of Socceroos legend Tim Cahill.
Stung by the opener, Turkey immediately pressed for a response. Just moments later, Abdulkerim Bardakci unleashed a ballistic, rising piledriver from distance. The ball looked destined for the top corner until Beach, at full stretch, got the faintest of fingertips to push the ball onto the post in a contender for save of the tournament.
Montella introduced Juventus starlet Kenan Yildiz at half-time to inject more creativity down the left flank. Turkey poked and prodded around the Australian penalty area, dominating possession and territory. Ismail Yuksek saw a deflected effort whistle past the upright, and Beach was called into action again to deny Celik from close range.
With Harry Souttar and Cameron Burgess acting as a human shield in the heart of defense, Australia absorbed everything Turkey threw at them before delivering the knockout blow 15 minutes from time.
In the 75th minute, Connor Metcalfe picked up a loose ball in midfield, drove aggressively into space, and unleashed a ferocious, low left-footed strike from 25 yards. The ball skidded across the turf and nestled perfectly into the bottom corner, sending the heavy contingent of traveling Australian fans into pure ecstasy.
Frustration boiled over for Turkey late on, with Yunus Akgun picking up a yellow card as the Socceroos comfortably navigated six minutes of added time to keep a historic clean sheet. The famous victory leaves Australia level on three points with the United States at the top of Group D, setting up a tantalizing clash with the co-hosts in Seattle, while Turkey face a sudden tournament crisis ahead of their meeting with Paraguay.
