Image: from HF World X @hfworld_
By Open Chronicle with agencies
Australia launched their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in style with a convincing 2,0 victory over Turkey, while Brazil had to rely on a moment of brilliance from Vinícius Júnior to avoid defeat against Morocco on an eventful weekend of Group C and Group D action.
The Socceroos produced one of the standout performances of the opening round, defeating Turkey at Vancouver Stadium to move level on points with the United States at the top of Group D. The Americans had opened their campaign a day earlier with an emphatic 4,1 victory over Paraguay.
Australia’s success was built on a disciplined team display and two excellent goals. Rising star Nestory Irankunda, who was later named Player of the Match, broke the deadlock in the 27th minute. The Watford winger showed exceptional composure, controlling the ball with a clever touch to evade the final defender before calmly finishing past the Turkish goalkeeper.
Turkey attempted to fight their way back into the contest but found little joy against an organised Australian defence and an assured performance from young goalkeeper Patrick Beach, who made several important interventions to preserve his side’s advantage.
Australia 🇦🇺 1 – 0 🇹🇷 Türkiye #FIFA #WC pic.twitter.com/BKdwqpyQUu
— NEWS INSIDER (@_news_insider) June 14, 2026
The result was put beyond doubt in the 75th minute when St. Pauli midfielder Connor Metcalfe unleashed a precise long-range strike into the corner of the net, sealing an impressive 2,0 victory and giving Australia an ideal start to the tournament.
For Turkey, the defeat leaves little room for error ahead of their next Group D fixture against Paraguay in San Francisco, where they will be under pressure to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds alive.
Elsewhere, five-time world champions Brazil were forced to settle for a 1,1 draw against Morocco in a high-profile Group C clash played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the venue that will host the 2026 World Cup final.
Morocco, semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, once again demonstrated their quality by taking the lead through Ismael Saibari in the first half. Brazil struggled to find its rhythm and looked in danger of beginning its campaign with a disappointing defeat.
However, Vinícius Júnior stepped up when his team needed him most. The Brazilian star produced a superb individual effort to restore parity, weaving past defenders before finishing brilliantly to rescue a point for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
The draw means Brazil and Morocco each begin the tournament with one point, while Australia’s victory places them alongside the United States at the summit of Group D after the opening round of matches.
With several of the competition’s traditional powers already facing stern tests, the early days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have underlined the growing competitiveness of the international game and hinted at an unpredictable tournament ahead.
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