Socceroos Beat Türkiye 2-0 in World Cup Opener

Socceroos vs Türkiye live

By Chris De Silva

Each of Group D's teams — United States, Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye have now played.

The Americans are currently topping the group on goal difference thanks to their 4-1 win over Paraguay.

Australia is in second spot with a goal difference of +2 after this win, with both sides on three points.

That result today gives the Socceroos a HUGE chance of advancing.

It is likely that next Saturday's clash against the US will decide who will top Group D.

The streets are utterly thrilled at this result

By Chris De Silva

Nestory Irankunda is my new favourite Socceroo...

- Mike

Absolutely loving the attack mindset and Beach’s save was world class. Using our pace and high balls inside. It’s the best I’ve seen Australia in years and it’s so thrilling. Popovic deserves due recognition for his bravery.

- Guy

Defence brilliant. Skilfully played. Totally excited with the 2 goals.

- Therese Wood

I was quite shocked when the line up was announced BUT WOW PATRICK BEACH TAKE A BOW!

- Jacquin

The Ossie coaching staff out coached turkiye. They impacted this game from the start. The Ossie talls were amazing and turkiye did not have any aerial threat....great job...Ossie Ossie ossie

- Tony Orlando

Yewwwwww! Can't stop smiling

- Tom

We're going through some of the comments you guys have sent through, and there is A LOT of love for the Socceroos.

Scenes from Melbourne's Fed Square at the whistle

By Chris De Silva

LIMBS. LIMBS EVERYWHERE.

Metcalfe says Australia 'can beat anyone' after Türkiye heroics

By Chris De Silva

Here's Connor Metcalfe, Australia's second-half goalscorer on that moment.

"When I saw that ball go in, the feeling that went through my body, I can't explain it," he says.

"For it to be my first World Cup, my first game, and to score, it couldn't have gone any better.

"Honestly, I wasn't even really thinking. I just took the ball, I didn't even look at anyone else, I just looked up and seen the goal and I just shot, and luckily it was perfect placement.

"I'm so proud of all the boys. Honestly, the shift we've just put in, we deserve it, it was unbelievable. Everyone was switched on for 90 minutes, and when the subs came on, they did their job."

Meanwhile, on being written off by everyone, Metcalfe says he and his teammates are "used to it".

"We're used to being the underdog, but I think with our mentality, we can beat anyone," he says.

Nestory Irankunda is your Player of the Match

By Chris De Silva

Nestory Irankunda is named the Player of the Match after scoring on his World Cup debut.

Irankunda, like everyone else, is absolutely rapt as he speaks after this one.

"It's effing unreal," he says.

"Like it's a dream come true. You know we've got the win now. We worked extra hard. We fought 'til the end. And it's just an exciting moment.

"At the end of the day you got to let these people talk, they can talk all they want but at the end of the day you've got to put the performance on the field and we've done that today.

"So we've got to focus on the next game but we celebrate now and we regroup now."

'Proud to be here': Popovic reacts to 2-0 win over Türkiye

By Chris De Silva

Tony Popovic is absolutely rapt with this result, and rightly so as well.

"Proud to be here as head coach, to experience this," he says.

"Put a smile on these people's faces that have travelled so far to support us. And just so happy for a wonderful young group of men."

Popovic's big pre-match call was to leave out skipper Mat Ryan in favour of Patrick Beach, and he explains it.

"It's something that, you know we've always seen (his quality) and I've got a lot of belief in the young man. And yeah he stood up today so very happy for him,"

Popovic was very impressed by his young players rewarding him tonight.

"Yeah it's quite special," he says.

"You see the young boys combining to score a goal and can't underestimate what this will do for their confidence and belief.

"Emotionally, it will take a lot out of the players this game. So, we've got to get back and recover well and focus on the US."

Have a look at the reactions from inside BC Place

By Chris De Silva

BC Place is going to be an Australian monument from this moment onwards because the Socceroos have delivered a night we'll never forget.

'Australia silenced a lot of people': Kewell on Socceroos result

By Chris De Silva

Socceroos great Harry Kewell is thrilled at Australia's response after being written off pre-World Cup.

"The one thing in football is when people talk, the best way to silence them is on the pitch," he says on SBS's coverage.

"I think tonight Australia silenced a lot of people, which is fantastic."

"When you talk too much, it does have a way of silencing you," adds Mark Milligan

A look at some of the numbers from Australia's 2-0 win

By Chris De Silva

As we exhale and then inhale more beer across Australia in celebration of this result, here's a look at the final stats.

Possession: Türkiye 72%-28%

Expected Goals (xG): Türkiye 1.33-0.77

Total Shots: Türkiye 30-9

Shots on Target: Türkiye 8-4

Touches in Opposition Box: Türkiye 52-17

Big Chances: Türkiye 2-1

Accurate Passes: Türkiye 635-202

Corners: Türkiye 8-5

Total Passes: Türkiye 704-270

Tackles: Australia 16-13

Interceptions: Australia 6-4

Blocks: Australia 12-1

Clearances: Australia 55-29

Saves: Australia 8-2

FT: Australia 2-0 Türkiye (Irankunda 27', Metcalfe 75')

By Chris De Silva

THE SOCCEROOS CLAIM A HUGE THREE POINTS IN VANCOUVER!

The whistle sounds and Tony Popovic is mobbed by his coaching staff after quite a remarkable World Cup opener.

It is the first time the Socceroos have won their first match at a World Cup since they defeated Japan 20 years ago thanks to that iconic Tim Cahill brace.

The Türkiye players look absolutely shattered out there. They have thrown EVERYTHING at this Socceroos side, but have been unable to break down a very disciplined defence.

It is a stark contrast to the Socceroos, who are absolutely cock-a-hoop out there as they celebrate.

Nestory Irankunda with the first-half opener and then Connor Metcalfe's brilliant strike from outside the box sealed it.

Once the Socceroos went ahead by two goals, it was over to the defence, and namely stand-in skipper Harry Souttar, who was absolutely sensational.

Souttar, Alessandro Circati and Cam Burgess thwarted attack after attack, both aerially and on the ground, to preserve the clean sheet.

Meanwhile, after much consternation about his selection, Patrick Beach was outstanding between the sticks, recording a remarkable EIGHT saves on his World Cup debut.

90+5': Souttar with another huge stop

By Chris De Silva

Harry Souttar is closing the door here for the Socceroos!

He gets in the way of another centred header and Patrick Beach is able to gobble up the ball.

Australia 2-0 Türkiye

90+4': Souttar with a triple clearance

By Chris De Silva

Harry Souttar has been an absolute ROCK in defence!

He makes a trio of clearances to keep the Turkish attacks at bay.

Unbelievable stuff from the Socceroos skipper tonight.

Australia 2-0 Türkiye

90+3': Turkish pleas for a corner go unheard

By Chris De Silva

A massive cheer goes up among the Australian fans in the building as Turkey's pleas for a corner are ignored.

Just three minutes left for Türkiye to try and find two goals.

Australia 2-0 Türkiye

90+2': Burgess with another clearing header

By Chris De Silva

The Socceroos defenders have been so commanding tonight!

Cam Burgess gets his head on yet another cross, before Harry Souttar clears on a low cross.

Australia 2-0 Türkiye

90': We're into stoppage time in the second half

By Chris De Silva

The fourth official holds up the board and signals for six minutes of added time.

Australia is almost there.

Australia 2-0 Türkiye

88': Deniz Gül on as Türkiye makes final push

By Chris De Silva

Deniz Gül has taken the place of Kerem Aktürkoğlu as we head towards stoppage time in the second half.

Türkiye still unable to break open this sturdy Socceroos defence.

Australia 2-0 Türkiye

86': Beach denies Çalhanoğlu with another great save

By Chris De Silva

PATRICK BEACH DOES IT AGAIN!

Hakan Çalhanoğlu with a good free kick, low towards the right corner, and that's going in but is denied by the diving Beach once again.

What a World Cup debut it has been from Australia's goalie tonight!

Australia 2-0 Türkiye

85': Türkiye with a good free kick opportunity

By Chris De Silva

Jackson Irvine gives away a foul on the edge of the box and this is another good chance.

This time it's going to be Hakan Çalhanoğlu who will take the set piece.

Australia 2-0 Türkiye