VANCOUVER.- The selection of Australia defeated 2-0 Türkiye in a Group D match North America World Cup this Saturday at Vancouver Stadiumin Canada.
With two blows, one in each period, of Nestory Irankunda (27′) and Connor Metcalfe (75′), the Socceroos ended the resistance of the team led by the Italian Vincenzo Montella and led on the field by the young star of real Madrid, Arda Güler.
Irakunda, 20-year-old striker of the WatfordEdit English and born in Tanzaniaovertook the Oceanians in a great individual play, outspeeding the Turkish defenders and beating Ugurcan Cakir when the goalkeeper desperately tried to close the gaps (27′).
The game could have been another three minutes later if Abdulkerim Bardakci would have tied the duel, but the distant whip from the Turkish centre-back was spit out by the right post of the goal defended by the young man Patrick Beachwho took the captain’s position Matt Ryan.
Already in the second half, when the Turks were desperate for not finding spaces in the Australian defense, the Socceroos sentenced with a long shot from the midfielder of the St. Pauli German, Metcalfe.
This match completed Group D of the World Cup, led by USA and Australia with 3 points, while Türkiye and Paraguay They close it without having scored.
Morocco criticizes UEFA
Several federations of countries participating in the North America World Cup 2026among them Morocco and Senegaldenounced this Sunday some recent statements by the president of the UEFA, Alexander Ceferinaccording to which the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams would lead to “uninteresting” matches.
“We respectfully, but firmly, reject these statements. For our countries, no World Cup match is unimportant,” the federations of the World Cup said in a joint statement sent to AFP. Cape Verde, Curacao, Uzbekistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast and South Africa.
“For Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistanthe classification for the World Cup represents a historic achievement and the realization of a dream shared by generations; and for nations like the Congo and Haiti“The return to football’s biggest stage after a long absence has a special meaning for millions of fans who have waited years, even decades, for this moment,” they added.
“To suggest that these matches are in any way less important is deeply disappointing and reflects a lack of recognition of the efforts, sacrifices and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, officials and fans around the world,” the federations considered.
“Football does not belong to a small group of nations,” the signatories stressed, stating that “each qualified country deserves respect and has earned its place on its own merits.”
