Australia upsets Turkey to set up key Group D matchup vs. USA soccer

Australia pulled off an upset of Turkey on Saturday, June 13, winning 2-0 and shaking up the expected hierarchy in Group D.

It was an impressive overall performance for the Socceroos at BC Place in Vancouver. Goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe provided the necessary scoreboard tallies for Australia to earn those vital three points in their 2026 World Cup opener. Goalkeeper Patrick Beach made a number of key saves to preserve the well-earned clean sheet.

The result means that the United States sits atop Group D after one round of matches via the goal differential tiebreaker. It also puts added importance on the USMNT's next match, which comes against Australia in Seattle on Friday, June 19. That same day, Turkey — a squad expected to compete for the top spot in Group D — will face Paraguay in a matchup of teams looking to recalibrate their World Cup experiences.

USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights of the Australia vs. Turkey match in Vancouver:

Surprise starter Patrick Beach propels Australia to stunning win

VANCOUVER — Australia head coach Tony Popovic revealed a surprise at goalkeeper just before the Socceroos’ World Cup opener against Turkey on Saturday.

Patrick Beach, just 22, got his third-ever national-team start over Mathew Ryan, who has three World Cups under his belt.

Beach rewarded his coach’s confidence, to say the least. — Jack Cooney and Carter Braun

Australia vs. Turkey highlights

2026 World Cup Group D standings

1. United States — 3 points (+3 goal differential)
2. Australia — 3 (+2)
3. Turkey — 0 (-2)
4. Paraguay — 0 (-3)

➤ Complete 2026 World Cup standings

Australia 2, Turkey 0: Connor Metcalfe extends Aussies' lead

It's dreamland for Australia.

Just when you thought Turkey might break through with an equalizer and spoil the fun for the Socceroo fans on hand at BC Place in Vancouver, Connor Metcalfe sent home a shot from beyond the 18-yard box past Turkey goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır.

It was a beauty of a goal.

Hydration break comes at good time for Australia

Turkey has been upped the aggression toward Australia's goal and been playing with a heightened sense of urgency. It felt like only a matter of time before Turkey broke through with a goal.

The break in the 70th minute came as an ideal respite for Australia, which can catch its breath after the frenzied pace set by Turkey.

Who is Nestory Irankunda? Meet Australia's goal scorer

VANCOUVER — Just seconds after Turkey’s first shot on target was saved by Australia’s Patrick Beach, Australia’s newest young star made his mark on soccer’s greatest stage.

Nestory Irankunda received a ball over the top, got past a Turkish defender, and calmly shot the ball into the bottom corner, putting his Australian team up 1-0 against Turkey on Saturday night.

Irankunda made his Australia debut in 2024, breaking through as one of the country’s most explosive young attacking talents after a standout rise with Adelaide United, a club based in Australia. — Carter Braun

Halftime: Australia enjoys 1-0 lead

Turkey will be disappointed with its performance in the opening 45 minutes. Despite owning a 67% to 33% possession edge and having more than double the shot attempts as Australia, Turkey finds itself behind. It'll look for more connectivity in the final third in the second half.

Australia, meanwhile, should be delighted to be ahead. Nestory Irankunda's counter-attack goal is the difference on the scoreboard, as the Aussies have managed to hold Turkey at bay.

Australia 1, Turkey 0: Nestory Irankunda puts Aussies on the board

The Socceroos are off to a great start as Nestory Irankunda sent home the first goal of the match to give Australia a first-half lead over Turkey.

Irankunda, who plays professionally for EFL Championship club Watford, had too much pace for the Turkish defensive backline and sprinted toward goal and fired home the go-ahead shot.

Why is Australia yellow and green?

While Australia's flag is dark blue with the red, white and blue Union Jack in the top left, the nation's national colors are gold and green.

Per the Australian government, gold is "the symbol of Australia’s sporting victories, and the colour of our mineral wealth, beaches, the golden fleece of Australian wool and the harvests of golden grains across every state." Meanwhile, green is "the colour of the Australian forests, gum trees, pastures and the endless horizons of growing crops."

Australia and Turkey both make surprise lineup decisions

VANCOUVER — Australia and Turkey revealed some surprise starting lineup decisions prior to kickoff of their World Cup opening match on Saturday, June 13.

After announcing midfielder Jackson Irvine as captain ahead of the World Cup, Australia head coach Tony Popovic benched the veteran, with Leicester City center back Harry Souttar captaining the team instead.

Also Patrick Beach, not World Cup veteran Mathew Ryan, started in goal for Australia in goal for the opening match of the Socceroos' sixth consecutive World Cup campaign.

On the Turkey side, midfielder Orkun Kökçü will start over winger Kenan Yıldız. — Derek Oliveros and Carter Braun

Australia lineup vs Turkey today

Turkey lineup vs Australia today

Why is this game so late?

We have reached our first midnight ET game of the tournament. But why are these games kicking off so late? We have all the reasons here.

Why is Mat Ryan not starting for Australia today?

Australia has surprisingly dropped longtime goalkeeper Mat Ryan, with Patrick Beach preferred in his place.

Australia vs Turkey predictions

Seth Vertelney: Australia 1-1 Turkey

The Socceroos are an underrated force heading into this tournament, while Turkey has question marks in the back despite a number of attacking stars. Australia keeps this one closer than expected and gets a point.

Jon Arnold: Australia 1-2 Turkey

Turkey's creative engines will allow them to create scoring opportunities against Australia and start the tournament off on the right foot with a victory.

Jesse Yomtov: Australia 2 - 3 Turkey

Should be a fun one, but Turkey will be too lethal on the counter-attack.

Victoria Hernandez: Australia 1 - 2 Turkey

Australia is excited to return to the big stage, but Turkey is simply the better team.

How to watch Australia vs Turkey on June 13

• Matchup: Australia vs Türkiye
• Date: Saturday, June 13
• Time: 11:59 p.m. ET (8:59 p.m. local)
• Venue: BC Place
• Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
• TV: FS1
• Streaming:FOX One App
• Spanish Broadcast: Telemundo, Peacock

Australia vs Turkey odds

World Cup picks, predictions and odds for June 13

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• Australia vs Türkiye prediction, picks, analysis

World Cup standings

Explore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.

2026 World Cup format

The 48 competing nations are divided into 12 groups of four. Each group will play a round robin style where teams are awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw. The top two teams in each group advance to the Round of 32 along with the eight best third-place squads. Tiebreakers in the group standings will be resolved using the following criteria:

• Greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned
• Superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned
• Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned
• Superior goal difference in all group matches
• Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches
• Highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained
• The two or more teams still equal on points shall be ranked according to the most recent published edition of the FIFA Men's World Ranking

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