Australia pulled off one of the early upsets of the 2026 World Cup, defeating Turkey 2-0 in Group D at BC Place, Vancouver on June 14. Coach Tony Popovic fielded 10 World Cup debutants and dropped veteran goalkeeper Maty Ryan in favor of Patrick Beach, who was earning just his third international cap. Beach rewarded that bold selection with eight saves — the most by any goalkeeper at the tournament so far — as Turkey dominated possession at 72% and mustered 30 shots without finding the net.
Nestory Irankunda, Australia's youngest World Cup scorer, broke the deadlock in the 27th minute on a razor-sharp counter-attack, latching onto a long ball that split Turkey's defense. Connor Metcalfe then secured the win with a 23-meter strike in the 75th minute. Turkey's star Arda Güler was kept largely quiet, and the Turks — making their first World Cup appearance since 2002 — were left stunned.
"People underestimate us and we showed them today that we can play football," Irankunda told reporters. Australia's victory blows Group D wide open, with the United States also in contention for the knockout stage.