Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Australia defeated Türkiye 2-0 in Group D on the final fixture of Match Day 3 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Vancouver on Sunday.
Nestroy Irankunda scored Australia’s first goal on the counterattack in the 27th minute of the first half. Arda Guler’s shot in the 26th minute rebounded off Aussie keeper Beach, which Inankunda controlled and slipped between two markers before slipping a powerful shot past the advancing Turkish keeper Cakir into the bottom corner.
Türkiye had the chance to equalize three minutes later when defender Baradacki’s powerful shot from 30 meters out clattered into the post.
In the second half, Guler unleashed a powerful free kick in the 57th minute, which the Australian keeper managed to push forward, and the Australian defence cleared the ball quickly.
Australia doubled the score in the 76th minute completely against the run of play. Connor Metcalfe ran onto the Turkish backline and unleashed a powerful low shot past the Turkish keeper.
Türkiye nearly got one back after just a minute when the Australian keeper saved Akturkoglu’s volley from close range.
Türkiye had other opportunities in the match as well, but failed to make them count.
In the day’s other fixtures, Scotland defeated Haiti by 1-0 in Group C, while Brazil battled to earn one point against Morocco in another Group C tie. John McGinn scored the only goal of the match in the 28th minute. Similarly, Vinicius Jr equalized for Brazil in the 1-1 against Morocco in the 32nd minute after Ismael Saibari gave Morocco the lead in the 21st minute.
Earlier, Qatar earn first-ever point in the FIFA World Cup with a dramatic 1-1 draw over Switzerland. Switzerland opened the scoring in the 17th minute from Breel Embolo’s penalty, while Boualem Khoukhi equalized for Qatar in the 94th minute.
