We Almost Played One-Sided, Lost 2-0
Our National Football Team faced Australia in the first match of Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Vancouver, Canada. Our National Team, dominant throughout the match, could not break through the Australian defense. Despite 28 organized attacks, our team could not score. Australia came to our goal 4 times and celebrated 2 goals.
MATCH MINUTES (FIRST HALF)
At the 27th minute, Barış Alper Yılmaz advanced with the ball from the left wing and crossed inside before reaching the end line, the ball deflected off the defense. Arda Güler, who found the ball in front of him near the penalty area, took a shot that goalkeeper Beach controlled.
At the 27th minute, on a long ball sent by Paul Okon-Engstler from his own half, Irankunda broke behind the defense from the left wing, entered the penalty area from a diagonal position, and sent the ball past goalkeeper Uğurcan into the net. 1-0
At the 30th minute, Abdülkerim Bardakcı took a hard shot from about 20 meters outside the penalty area after the ball rebounded off the Australian defense from Orkun Kökçü's cross, but the ball hit the post and returned to the field.
At the 45th minute, Irankunda progressed with the ball on the left side, took a diagonal run facing the goal, and shot low from the penalty area line, but the ball was saved by goalkeeper Uğurcan.
Match Minutes (Second Half)
At the 50th minute, after a scramble in the Australian penalty area, the Australian defense failed to clear the ball well. The ball fell to İsmail at the edge of the penalty area; his shot hit the defense and went out for a corner.
At the 57th minute, Arda Güler took a free kick from the right diagonal outside the Turkish penalty area. Arda's shot to the right corner was saved by goalkeeper Beach at the last moment.
At the 72nd minute, after a deep pass from Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Zeki Çelik broke behind the defense and shot at the near post from the goal line, but keeper Beach saved and deflected the ball for a corner.
At the 75th minute, Metcalfe, near the right touchline, took a hard shot to the right corner from the edge of the penalty area that found the net. 2-0
Stadium: BC Place
Referees: Jesus Valenzuela, Jorge Urrego, Tulio Moreno
Australia: Patrick Beach, Alessandro Circati, Jacop Italiano (Jason Geria 74'), Jardon Bos (Aziz Behich 84'), Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden ONeill, Paul Okon-Engstler (Jackson Irvine 84'), Mohammed Toure (Tete Yengi 74'), Nestory Irankunda Nishan Velupillay (61')
Substitutes: Mathew Ryan, Paul Izzo, Milos Degenek, Mathew Leckie, Ajdin Hrustic, Awer Mabil, Cameron Devlin, Kai Trawin, Cristian Volpato, Lucas Herrington
Coach: Tony Popovic
Turkey: Uğurcan Çakır, Zeki Çelik (Mert Müldür 81'), Merih Demiral, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Orkun Kökçü (Yunus Akgün 62'), Hakan Çalhanoğlu, İsmail Yüksek (Salih Özcan 81'), Kerem Aktürkoğlu (Deniz Gül 85'), Arda Güler, Barış Alper Yılmaz (Kenan Yıldız 46')
Substitutes: Mert Günok, Altay Bayındır, Çağlar Söyüncü, Eren Elmalı, Ozan Kabak, İrfan Can Kahveci, Kaan Ayhan, Oğuz Aydın, Samet Akaydin, Can Uzun
Coach: Vincenzo Montella
Goals: Nestory Irankunda (27'), Connor Metcalfe (75') (Australia)
Yellow card: Yunus Akgün (Turkey)
