Socceroos kick off their World Cup campaign with clean sheet stunner
Australians go wild as our Socceroos squad of untested young guns leaves the rest of the world’s jaws on the floor with the golden boys defending their way to an unforgettable 2-0 victory
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The Socceroos have sent shockwaves around the world with a 2-0 win over Türkiye in their World Cup opener.
Written off by an American pundit as a bunch of no-names, Australia took just 27 minutes to silence their critics with an opening goal to Nestory Irankunda, making him the youngest ever Socceroo to score a goal at a World Cup.
There were incredible scenes off and on the pitch when Connor Metcalfe made it 2-0 to secure a result very few football analysts around the globe predicted.
Aussie coach Tony Popovic sprang a huge shock ahead of the game by leaving two of his most senior players out of his starting XI but it didn’t take long before he started looking like a genius instead of a madman, with the Socceroos’ perfect start to this tournament.
Australia’s 2-0 win against a Türkiyan team many favoured to top the group is our largest victory in World Cup history – matching the 3-1 win against Tokyo in 2006.
New goalkeeper Patrick Beach delivered a clean sheet – and countless crucial saves – after the controversial decision to bench veteran Mat Ryan.
And world-class goals – one apiece from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe – sent a clear reply after the Socceroos were told they lacked star quality.
Socceroos legend Harry Kewell said on SBS: “This is going to be a night we never forget. Unbelievable performance.”
Now our passage to the knockout phase is a long way towards being secured.
Pre-tournament simulations showed just getting three points puts you in the round of 32 about two-thirds of the time.
The Socceroos’ game against the USA in Seattle on Saturday may now well decide who tops the group. What a position for Tony Popovic and his men to be in. Let’s go, Australia!
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FIVE NEW SOCCEROOS TO CHEER ON
A whopping 17 members of the Socceroos squad for the World Cup will make their tournament debuts* in America this month.
Here are five you might not know well yet, but who will likely become household names by the end of the tournament*.
JORDAN BOS
Left back
Strengths: Dribbling, crossing, eye for goal, tackling
Quick, a supreme dribbler and a willing runner, left back Jordy Bos will be central to the Socceroos’ hopes.
Since his debut for the national side in 2023, the energetic wingback has been key at getting the Socceroos out of their own half, weaving transitions* down the leftside.
Bos came up through the system at Melbourne City, making his A-League debut at 19 before being sold to Belgian side Westerlo at 21, then making the step up to the Eredivise with Feyenoord at the start of the 2025-26 season in an $8 million deal.
Across 36 appearances for the Dutch side this season, he scored four goals and set up 11 – the most assists of anyone in his side.
ALESSANDRO CIRCATI
Centre back
Strengths: One-on-one duels*, aerial duels, long balls, blocked shots
Born in the Italian city of Parma and raised in Perth, Alessandro Circati came up through Glory’s NPL system before returning to Parma to forge his Serie B career, helping them earn promotion back into Italy’s top division.
He’s been an important player for them since.
A 190cm centreback with plenty of smooth soccer style, the 22-year-old has already captained both Australia and Parma. He sits just below the 90th percentile for centre backs for duels won in the defensively strong Italian league, and is in the 96th for shots blocked.
LUCAS HERRINGTON
Centre back
Strengths: Passing, long balls, one-on-one duels, aerial duels
At 16 Lucas Herrington was labelled the best defender in Australia by then Brisbane Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich before he had even played a professional game.
Once he took to the A-League it became clear why. This was a footballer playing with IQ and physical skill well beyond his years, anticipating danger before it was too late and throwing his long frame around to make intercepts* and tackles when needed in defence, while staying calm in his distribution from the back.
That saw him quickly snapped up by the Colorado Rapids in America’s Major-league Soccer (MLS), where he has made his place in the starting XI*, taking on the likes of Lionel Messi and Marco Reus. He is thriving in the MLS, sitting around the 95th percentile for centre backs for defensive contributions, clearances, aerial duels won, duels won, successful passes and successful pass percentage, and accurate long pass percentage.
Standing in his way for selection will be the ever reliable Cam Burgess, so Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has a tough call to make.
PAUL OKON-ENGSTLER
Centre mid
Strengths: Metronomic*, dribbling in tight spaces, duels, recovering possession
The son of an international soccer great by the same name, Paul Okon-Engstler has gone one up on his father by being selected for a World Cup squad after a stellar season for Sydney FC. Like his father, Okon-Engstler plays in the heart of midfield, with his combination of physicality and technical ability making him one of Australia’s most promising young players.
He made an instant impact when he was substituted on against Mexico, with his ability to keep the ball under pressure and pass at pace helping to unpick the central American team’s press. In just 24 minutes of game time he had 24 touches of the ball.
He was in the 97th percentile for touches among midfielders in the recent A-League season, while also sitting in the 90s for duels won, aerial duels won, fouls won, and defensive contributions.
MOHAMED TOURE
Striker
Strengths: Shot production, link-up play, chance creation, dribbling, touches in the box, pressing
The youngest goalscorer in A-League history, just ahead of good mate Nestory Irankunda, Toure’s potential has been obvious for a long time.
Signed from Danish side Randers FC in February by Norwich City, Toure scored 10 goals in just 12 games for the Canaries, alongside three assists as his combination of speed and strength came to the fore.
His underlying numbers for Norwich last season were elite, finishing in the 100th percentile for Championship strikers for goals per 90 and assists per 90, while his per 90 numbers were also excellent for successful dribbles, touches in the box, and possessions won in the final third.
* All player stats provided by football app FotMob.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- debuts: first time playing in the World Cup
- transitions: a quick phase of play that happens straight after a change in possession
- duels: one-on-one physical contests between players fighting for possession of the ball
- intercepts: when a defending team cuts into the other team’s play to cut out a pass or block a cross
- starting XI: the first 11 players on the field
- Metronomic: a midfielder who sets the tempo of the game
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QUICK QUIZ
- Who scored the goals for Australia in the Socceroos’ opening World Cup match?
- Which nation did the Socceroos defeat 2-0?
- How many Socceroos are making their World Cup debut this year?
- What has Paul Okon-Engstler done that his soccer-playing father hasn’t?
- Who was labelled the best defender in Australia at the age of 16?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Make a boardgame
Create your own World Cup-themed boardgame. Include the players highlighted in this news story. For example, you could use cut-outs of the players for movable pieces or create trivia questions based on their statistics. Include other soccer related details as well as a clear set of instructions for how your game is played.
Time: allow 60 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Design and Technologies
2. Extension
Research to find out about some of the other Socceroos. Choose one and write a profile for them that could easily slot into this news story.
Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English
VCOP ACTIVITY
I’ve always wanted to know
If you had the opportunity to talk to one of the Socceroos and ask them five questions, what would you ask them?
Come up with five different questions. Challenge yourself to use different question stems (question openers words) to write your questions, and don’t forget to end with a question mark.