The “Socceroos”, as the Australian men's national soccer team is known, are making their sixth consecutive World Cup finals appearance and started it in the best way possible at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.
The 1-0 came after a quick attack and a solo raid in which 20-year-old Nestory Irankunda finished calmly. He made history with the beautiful goal, becoming the youngest Australian scorer ever in a men's World Cup. The previous record was held by Brett Holman, who was 26 when he scored in the group-stage match against Ghana during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, according to the BBC.
"It feels fantastic," Irankunda said in the post-match interview.
In the second half, Australia made it 2–0 through Connor Metcalfe as Turkey chased an equalizer.
The first victory means that Australia is second in Group D on three points, with an inferior goal difference to group leaders the USA, who defeated Paraguay 4–1 on Saturday night, local time in Sweden. On Midsummer's Eve, the USA and Australia will meet in an early group final in Seattle, Washington. Both first and second in the group are guaranteed to advance to the World Cup round of 16. The third-placed team also has a chance to advance.
