Australia Beats Turkey 2-0 as Irankunda Scores World Cup Opener

Nestory Irankunda scored Australia's opener in a 2-0 win over Turkey in Vancouver, becoming the youngest scorer in the country's World Cup history. The 20-year-old Watford forward netted in the 27th minute after showing pace and power to create the opening. Irankunda replicated Tim Cahill's celebration by punching the corner flag after the goal.

He is the first player born outside Australia to score a World Cup goal for the Socceroos. "It is unreal and a dream come true," Irankunda said shortly after full-time. He added that Tim Cahill is his biggest inspiration in football along with Lionel Messi.

Irankunda was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp in 2006 to Burundian parents who fled their homeland because of civil war. He moved to Australia as a young child. He came through the ranks at Adelaide United in the A-League, where he scored 16 goals and recorded 8 assists for the senior side.

Bayern Munich signed him in 2024. Irankunda made his Australia debut in a World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in June 2024. He became the second-youngest scorer in the country's history when he scored against Palestine in his second appearance.

He had a loan spell at Swiss side Grasshopper last season. Irankunda moved to Watford from Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee in the summer after the Grasshopper loan. He played 42 games for Watford, scored 4 goals and made 5 assists.

Irankunda said he decided to move to Watford because he needed playing minutes to secure a World Cup place. Former Australia manager Ange Postecoglou told ITV that Irankunda's finish was superb. Postecoglou said the goal may have an impact on Irankunda's future career.