{"id":36246,"date":"2026-06-14T12:40:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T12:40:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/14\/australia-spoils-turkiyes-fifa-world-cup-return\/"},"modified":"2026-06-14T12:40:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T12:40:24","slug":"australia-spoils-turkiyes-fifa-world-cup-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/14\/australia-spoils-turkiyes-fifa-world-cup-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia spoils T\u00fcrkiye’s FIFA World Cup return"},"content":{"rendered":"
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) \u2014 Nestly Ilankunda and Connor Metcalf scored as Australia spoiled Turkey’s comeback. world cup<\/span> They won 2-0 on Saturday night, their first win in 24 years.<\/p>\n
Goalkeeper Patrick Beach made eight saves for the Socceroos in their group opener as FIFA president Gianni Infantino looked on. Australia is participating in the World Cup for the sixth consecutive year and seventh time in total.<\/p>\n
Turkey reached the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, but lost five consecutive tournaments, and this year they defeated Kosovo in the playoffs to qualify.<\/p>\n
In the 27th minute, Ilankunda broke through for the Socceroos with a low shot while being chased by three defenders. Less than a minute had passed since the hydration break in the first half.<\/p>\n
irankunda<\/span> They celebrated by punching the corner flag in honor of Australian football legend Tim Cahill. The 20-year-old, who plays for Watford, is the Socceroos’ youngest goalscorer in World Cup history.<\/p>\n
A few minutes later, Beech stopped Abdulkerim Bardak\u00e7u’s outburst from a distance. Beech started in goal for the Socceroos rather than the more experienced Matthew Ryan in a surprise decision by coach Tony Popovich.<\/p>\n
The Iranian newspaper said the soccer team took issue with comments made by Turkish captain Hakan Calhanoglu the day before the match, in which he declared that the team had “a team with more qualities and talent.”<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it gave me extra motivation,\u201d Ilankunda said. “Of course, we don’t like people talking bad about us because we’re a great team. People underestimate us.”<\/p>\n
Kenan Yildiz, 21, who plays for Juventus, was not in the starting XI, but was substituted for Turkey at half-time.<\/p>\n
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Australian players salute the crowd after the Soccer World Cup Group D match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, Canada, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (Daryl Dike\/Canadian Press via AP)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Australian players salute the crowd after the Soccer World Cup Group D match between Australia and Turkey in Vancouver, Canada, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (Daryl Dike\/Canadian Press via AP)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Turkey had a dangerous free kick in the 57th minute, but Alda G\u00fcler’s shot was saved by Beech. G\u00fcler, a talented 21-year-old attacking midfielder who plays for Real Madrid, wasn’t even born when Turkey last played in the World Cup.<\/p>\n
In the 75th minute, Ismail Yuksek’s turnover was exploited by Conor Metcalf to extend the Socceroos’ lead to two points. The Socceroos lost their opening game in Qatar to France, but defeated Tunisia and Denmark in the group stage before being eliminated in the round of 16 by eventual champions Argentina.<\/p>\n
Turkey had 72% possession during the match, outscoring the Socceroos 30-9, but could not score.<\/p>\n
“I have a lot of respect for Australia. I expected them to play like this,” said Turkish coach Vincenzo Montella, who led his team to the quarter-finals of the 2024 European Championship. “This is football. As far as the critics go, the truth is no one underestimates Australia.”<\/p>\n
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Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach (18) during the Soccer World Cup Group D match between Australia and Turkey on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo\/Abby Parr)<\/figcaption><\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach (18) during the Soccer World Cup Group D match between Australia and Turkey on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo\/Abby Parr)<\/p>\n
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Turkey’s Arda G\u00fcler, 8, reacts after missing a shot during the Soccer World Cup Group D match between Australia and Turkey on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo\/Abby Parr)<\/figcaption><\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Turkey’s Arda G\u00fcler, 8, reacts after missing a shot during the Soccer World Cup Group D match between Australia and Turkey on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo\/Abby Parr)<\/p>\n
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This will be Turkey’s third World Cup appearance, having first participated in the tournament in 1954.<\/p>\n
The team is in Group D along with the United States and Paraguay. of USA defeated Paraguay 4-1<\/span> in the group opener in Los Angeles on Friday.<\/p>\n
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AP World Cup: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/fifa-world-cup<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n