What's happened
Australia has secured a famous victory in Group D, with Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scoring, rookie keeper Patrick Beach making crucial saves, and coach Popovic reshuffling the starting XI to include 10 World Cup debutants. The win keeps them level with the United States ahead of a meeting in Seattle.
What's behind the headline?
Deep dive
- Australia has capitalised on a bold selection that paid off, with Beach delivering eight saves in some reports and Okon-Engstler and Irankunda combining for the opener.
- The move signals a potential shift in Popovic’s squad strategy, prioritising younger players with top-flight experience.
- If the Socceroos can maintain this level, they are likely to advance from Group D, with their next match against the United States becoming pivotal.
What to watch next
- Can Australia sustain the defensive discipline and counter-attacking threat?
- Will Turkey rebound after this setback and adjust their approach against the U.S.?
How we got here
The Socceroos have handed a surprise lineup, dropping captain Maty Ryan and vice-captain Jackson Irvine in favor of Beach and Okon-Engstler. This comes as Turkey — in World Cup action for the first time since 2002 — dominated possession but could not break through a well-organised defense.
Our analysis
The New Arab, France 24, Al Jazeera - reporting the same events and quotes from players and coaches.
Go deeper
- What does this victory mean for Australia’s chances in Group D?
- How will Turkey respond in their next match?
- Who else could Popovic lean on if he continues to rotate the squad?
More on these topics
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Australia - Country in Oceania
Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
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Connor Metcalfe - Australian footballer
Connor Metcalfe is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for A-League club Melbourne City.
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Tim Cahill - Australian footballer
Timothy Filiga Cahill AO is an Australian former professional footballer who played as a striker, but also played as an attacking midfielder on many occasions.
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Tony Popovic - Australian association football manager
Tony Popovic is an Australian association football manager and former player. He is the current manager of A-League club Melbourne Victory. As a player Popovic's usual position was centre-back.
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Türkiye (Turkey) - Country in the Middle East
Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan peninsula in Southeastern Europe.