In brief
- Australia has defeated Türkiye at the World Cup with a stonewall defence.
- Scotland completes a historic win, Morocco and Brazil went level, and Qatar claws back a goal from Switzerland.
The eagerly awaited clash between Australia and Türkiye kicked off with the Socceroos establishing a formidable defensive wall against a relentless Turkish side that showed no intention of backing down.
Türkiye launched into the game with vigor, relentlessly pushing the Australians into their own territory, showcasing a fluid and skillful style of play.
In the early stages, a series of precise shots from Turkish attackers kept Australian fans on the edge of their seats.
Australia, true to expectations, adopted a defensive stance. This strategy, favored by head coach Tony Popovic, has become synonymous with the Socceroos, who are renowned for “parking the bus”—a tactic emphasizing steadfast defense and capitalizing on opponents’ errors.
Despite a few sloppy touches, Australia managed to keep the Turkish threat largely at bay, though both sides exhibited impressive football skills throughout the match.
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By the time the first hydration break rolled around in the 25th minute, a picture was emerging: these teams were indeed closer together than some had predicted. Australia looking dangerous if allowed to break away, Türkiye adept at moving into Australia’s third.
And then, a 27th minute breakthrough: A worrying shot on target from Turkish forward Arda Guler was reversed by an Okon-Engstler assist to Nestor Irankunda, who blew by Turkish goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır to make it 1-0.
In the 38th minute, Jordan Bos, possessed by heroic ideas, fired a cannonball at the goal from about 27 metres out. The shot was never truly on, but who could begrudge him for trying?
Türkiye trooped back to the dressing room looking frustrated at half time, while the Australians breathed a sigh of relief.
At the beginning of the second half, the substitutions began. Juventus attacking midfielder Kenan Yildiz was a big name the Turkish fans had waited to see. That he was brought on to replace the still-lively Baris Alper Yilmaz came as a surprise. Clearly, Türkiye felt they needed the big guns.
The 60th minute brought Australia’s first substitution, and a big one. Goal scorer Irankunda off, replaced by Nishan Velupillay.
In the 74th, Jason Geria and Tete Yengi were brought on to replace Jacob Italiano and Mo Toure.
Moments later, Connor Metcalfe escaped down the pitch. Like Bos before him, fired the ball toward the goal from around 20 metres out. This one found the back of the net, taking the Socceroos to 2-0 and securing his place in Socceroos highlight reels forever.
More substitutions in the 84th minute, and a double change. Jackson Irvine and Aziz Behic arrived to relieve Jordan Bos and Paul Okon-Engstler.
The first yellow of the match arrived in the 85th minute, Yunus Akgun booked for a heavy challenge on Aiden O’Neill.
When the final whistle blew, it was Australia that emerged on top, 2-0.
Scotland defeats Haiti to win its first World Cup match in 36 years
There was absolutely no doubt who the crowd at Boston Stadium was supporting, deafening roars ringing out with every Scotland touch.
Haiti showed real fire in their press early doors, putting Scotland on the back foot and making it difficult for them to get out.
Haiti supports held their breath when Wolves player Jean-Ricner Bellegarde fired from just outside the box, but it sailed over the bar.
Scotland would be the first to open their account in the 28th minute. When Ché Adams stretched Haiti’s defences, Aston Villa’s John McGinn took advantage. It was a scruffy ball that found its way into the net, but the delighted Scottish supporters were not particular about it.
Haiti’s biggest problem throughout the first half were its final passes. Despite an ability to build a strong press, the Haitians were repeatedly thwarted by poor crosses and passing into the box.
Nevertheless, Haiti kept Scotland on their toes for the remainder of the match. Hard presses and moments to terrify the Scots follows as Haiti flatly refused to stop trying for a goal. Scotland fought and scrapped, drawing yellows for Aaron Hickey, Findlay Curtis and Kenny McLean. Jean-Richner Bellegarde drew the only yellow for Haiti.
Haiti missed a golden chance in the 85th minute when forward Frantzdy Pierrot received a perfect cross from the right and won the header, only to knock it off course.
In the end, Scotland came away with the much-desired, hard-fought win, its first at a World Cup in 36 years. The Scots will be painting the town blue and white tonight.
Morocco and Brazil trade blows in the heat, becoming tournament’s third 1-1 draw
It took Morocco 21 minutes to score against Brazil, sending their supporters into dreamland and leaving the Brazilian cohort stunned.
Brahim Diaz gave Ismael Saibari a perfect ball, allowing him to slice through Brazil’s two centre halves and goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who was well off his line. Chipped over their heads and into the open goal, it was a beautiful finish.
Brazil didn’t wait long to respond. In the 32nd minute, off a pass from Bruno Guimaraes, Vinicius Jr. cut back inside and sent the ball into the roof of the net off his right boot.
But even after such an explosive finish, Vini Jr’s goal remained an outlier. Morocco looked quite comfortable against a Brazilian team that couldn’t seem to keep hold of the ball.
Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui was heaped with praise throughout the match, beating players up and down the left hand side.
However, as the match wore on, the stifling hot conditions at New York New Jersey Stadium took a toll on both teams. By the 75th minute, the energy displayed in the early stages had begun to seep out of the game.
Even given ten minutes of extra time, and Brazil giving away a pair of reckless fouls, neither side could find enough clear air to land another goal and seal the win.
The match ended level 1-1.
Qatar shocks Switzerland with miracle goal in extra time
Despite looking dangerous throughout, Switzerland has been left stunned in a 1-1 draw with Qatar on Sunday.
The siege began right away, with Dan Ndoye making a lunge for a goal in the sixth minute off a ball from Michel Aebischer. It was the beginning of a very busy day for Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada.
Ndoye would appear again in the 10th minute, missing a sitter to groans from the crowd.
More attacks quickly led to the first penalty of the match. Remo Freuler ran into a header put in his path by Breel Embolo and got flattened by Qatar goalkeeper Abunada. It was Abunada that came off second best, however and needed a medical check before play could continue.
Switzerland was given the penalty and forward Breel Embolo casually put the ball into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 1-0. The goal was controversial — there is plenty of conjecture online this morning about whether Embolo’s goal was onside or off. The TV angle made it appear to there was an offside, which may have been an optical illusion, but the goal stands regardless.
Qatar drew two yellow cards in the 23rd minute — Jassem Gaber received a booking for knocking over Ruben Vargas on his way to the penalty area. Goalkeeper Abunada was also booked for the foul that resulted in Switzerland’s penalty.
Qatar spent much of the second half looking for a way out, and failing to find one. Every move they made seemed to result in a foul or a giving away of the ball.
Qatar winger Yusuf Abdurisag seemed emblematic of Qatar’s problems. In the 55th minute, a golden opportunity opened up in front of him. In the open and with miles of space to work with, he seemed thoroughly surprised, failing to get a touch on the ball at all.
After an hour’s play, the substitutions began. Qatar brought on Karim Boudiaf, Ahmed Alaa and Ahmed Fathy to replace Ayoub Al Oui, Jassem Gaber and Yusuf Abdurisag.
Switzerland’s changes came a few minutes later. Fabian Rieder and Johan Manzambi emerged to replace Michel Aebischer and Dan Ndoye.
Perhaps feeling like they had the game sewn up against an inferior opponent, Switzerland seemed to relax a bit in the second half. The ruthlessness they’d displayed in the early stages eased, allowing Qatar to perk up rather suddenly in the final 20 minutes.
With six minutes of injury time added on, Qatar applied pressure. Their work paid off in the 95th minute when a beautiful cross from the left allowed Qatar captain Boualem Khoukhi to slam home a header and make it 1-1.
Khoukhi was immediately buried by his team mates, unable to believe he’d saved them.
When the final whistle blew, the match ended level at 1-1. The Swiss had grown too confident and, in the dying moments of the match, had been made to pay for it.
Stick around for all the match action today across SBS News and SBS Sport, and don’t forget that the Socceroos take on Türkiye from 2pm.
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