Australia opened their FIFA World Cup campaign with a composed 2-0 win over Turkiye, executing a disciplined defensive gameplan and punishing their opponents with two well-taken counter-attacking goals.

Tony Popovic's side sat deep and absorbed pressure throughout, allowing Turkiye to control possession while waiting for the right moments to strike on the break. When those moments came, Australia took full advantage.

Irankunda's opener sets the tone

The breakthrough arrived against the run of play. Watford forward Nestory Irankunda collected a long ball out wide on the left, cut inside the penalty area with a sharp change of direction, and drove an unstoppable finish past the wrong-footed goalkeeper to put Australia ahead.

Turkiye pushed for an equaliser but found themselves unable to unlock a resolute Socceroos defence. Captain Harry Souttar came close to extending the lead from a corner, testing goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir with a powerful header in the second half.

Metcalfe seals the points

As Turkiye grew increasingly desperate, they resorted to long-range efforts — though Patrick Beach, a surprise selection between the posts, produced a fine stop to deny Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler from a free kick.

Australia then put the result beyond doubt when Connor Metcalfe received the ball just inside the Turkiye half and drove a precise finish into the bottom corner from 25 yards to make it 2-0.

Postecoglou's pride from the ITV studio

Former Australia manager Ange Postecoglou, watching on as a pundit for ITV, was full of praise for the performance. Postecoglou led the Socceroos at the 2014 World Cup, where they were drawn into a formidable Group D alongside the Netherlands, Spain, and Chile and left without a single point.