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Socceroos fans who took over Vancouver are in dreamland after Australia pulled off a 2-0 win over Turkiye that has set their World Cup campaign up perfectly.
Coach Tony Popovic made several bold selection calls and they all paid huge dividends in-front of 52,497 fans at BC Place.
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We rate every Socceroos player out of 10!
PATRICK BEACH – 10
Beach pulled off an incredible fingertip save from Abdulkerim Bardakci just minutes after Nestory Irankunda’s goal.
His effort in the 57th minute to deny Arda Guler from a free kick was also world class and he added three more amazing stops to his highlight reel in the 72nd, 77th and 86th minutes.
“What a save!” Beach goes full stretch | 00:22
JACOB ITALIANO – 9
Italiano was a warrior on the right-hand side. He flew into challenges and won most of them. Also tried to get forward on occasion.
He spent the second half marking Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz and apart from one occasion was up to the task.
ALESSANDRO CIRCATI – 9
It would have been 1-1 at half-time without a desperate intervention from Alessandro Circati.
Calm, confident and classy.
HARRY SOUTTAR – 9
The skipper almost scored off a header in the 54th minute and won plenty of those at the other end of the field as well.
An incredible turn around from a player who once again overcame a serious injury to take his place in this tournament.
US pundit goes in hard on Socceroos | 01:22
CAMERON BURGESS – 9
Burgess might be tall and imposing but he’s incredibly agile and hardly lost a challenge.
His left foot brought balance to the three-man centre back trio.
Solid as a rock.
JORDY BOS – 8.5
Bos showed fancy footwork on more than one occasion and did everything he could with the supply of ball that he had.
Paul Okon-Engstler pulled into left back while Australia was building up from the back and that allowed Bos to move into more advanced positions.
If they can find a way to get him the ball further up the field as a result then the men in green and gold will pose even more of a threat.
PAUL OKON-ENGSTLER – 9
There was hardly a blade of grass at BC Place that Paul Okon-Engstler didn’t cover and he played the superb through ball for Nestory Irankunda’s goal.
The Sydney FC midfielder spent the better part of the night shadowing Turkiye and Real Madrid star Arda Guler, tracked back making several clutch interventions and was calm and assured on the ball.
What a World Cup debut.
AIDEN O’NEILL – 9
O’Neill marshalled the middle of the park with grit and determination and you couldn’t have asked much more from the New York City midfielder.
NESTORY IRANKUNDA – 9.5
The world now knows his name.
Nestory Irankunda is a World Cup goalscorer.
The goal came just after coach Tony Popovic spent the hydration break speaking with the 20-year-old.
MATCH REPORT: Australia vs Turkiye highlights and more
MO TOURE – 8.5
Worked tirelessly up front and was a handful for Turkiye’s defenders.
Looked menacing when running on to balls in behind or charging forwards with the ball.
He hit the deck just before the second hydration break clutching at his leg but played on for a few more minutes before being subbed off.
CONNOR METCALFE – 9.5
What a strike! His 75th minute goal sealed it for Australia.
Metcalfe does all the tiny things that you don’t notice but would leave a big hole if he wasn’t on the field.
A professional display with and without the ball.
The goal was the ultimate reward.
Metcalfe worldie seals victory for Aus! | 00:29
NISHAN VELUPILLAY – 7
Velupillay came on in the 61st minute.
He brought energy to the left side right when Australia needed it.
JASON GERIA – 7
Came on in the 74th min and was given the task of keeping Kenan Yildiz quiet.
Job done.
TETE YENGI – 7.5
Yengi also entered the match in the 74th min and made every second on the field count.
He created all sorts of headaches in attack and has emerged as a genuine understudy to Mo Toure.
AZIZ BEHICH – 7
Behich came on with six minutes to play in regular time.
His experience was vital to the Socceroos seeing out the game.
JACKSON IRVINE – 7
Irvine also came on with six minutes to play in regular time.
Played the same role as Behich but in midfield.
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