Australia defied all odds and beat Turkey in the World Cup opener.
Nestory Irankunda scored, celebrated, and did exactly what he had always promised himself. After Australia beat Turkey 2-0 in their World Cup opener on Saturday, the Watford striker got down on his knees and mimicked the iconic boxer celebration that made Tim Cahill famous.
“Tim Cahill is my biggest inspiration when it comes to football,” Irankunda beamed after the game.
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“Him and Lionel Messi. Tim Cahill – Australia’s best ever, in my opinion. I thought that if I score, I’ll do the same as him. And I was able to do it.”
Irankunda is now Australia’s youngest ever World Cup scorer – 20 years and 125 days old. He beats the record of Brett Holman, who was 26 years and 84 days old when he scored against Ghana in 2010.
His goal lived up to the occasion. After receiving a pass from fellow teenager Paul Okon-Engstler, Irankunda took a brilliant first touch, created space inside the box, and knocked a low shot into the far corner.
Connor Metcalfe made it 2-0 after sloppy Turkish play, and Tony Popovic’s side held on – one of the biggest results of the championship so far.
Turkey, back in the World Cup for the first time since 2002, dominated for long periods. Abdulkerim Bardakci had a long-range shot tipped into the post by goalkeeper Patrick Beach – a surprising start ahead of experienced Mat Ryan, who was making his first competitive game for Australia.
Beach also saved a free-kick from Arda Güler and withstood a close-range shot from Zeki Çelik in the second half.
“This is something we’ve always seen,” Popovic said of his goalkeeper. “I have great faith in the young man. He showed up today, and I’m happy for him.”
“People underestimate us, and today we showed them that we can play,” Irankunda said with a big smile. “They had a lot more ball, but who scored the goals? We scored the goals.”
Popovic, clearly touched at the final whistle, kept his words simple: “Proud. Proud to be here as head coach. To experience this, to put smiles on the faces of people who have traveled so far to support us—I’m just happy for a great bunch of young men.”
On the collaboration between Irankunda and Okon-Engstler on the opening goal, he added: “It was quite special to see the two young boys combine. One cannot underestimate what this will do to self-confidence and faith. Emotionally, this game will give the players a lot.”
Australia will face the United States next – with a chance to almost secure advancement to the playoffs.
