Turkey loses opener against Australia – Scotland secures first World Cup win in 36 years

Australia took an early lead: Nestory Irankunda converted his chance in the 27th minute to make it 1:0 for the "Socceroos." The right winger, whose professional profile is listed at FC Watford, finished off a cross to open the scoring. It was a goal that set the underdog from the Asian confederation, who became Asian champions in 2015, on their way.

Irankunda and Metcalfe Score for Australia

Turkey remained dangerous after the break but could not capitalize. Harry Souttar headed a big chance for 2:0 wide from a corner in the 54th minute. In the 72nd minute, Beach also saved a shot from Mehmet Zeki Çelik, before Connor Metcalfe sealed the result from distance in the 75th minute. Metcalfe, listed as a central midfielder at FC St. Pauli and yet to score a competitive goal this season, struck from around 20 meters to make it 2:0 for Australia.

For Turkey, it was only the third World Cup appearance overall after 2002, having last qualified for a World Cup 24 years ago. Back then, in South Korea and Japan, the team had finished third. The opening defeat also extends an unwelcome streak: Turkey has now lost all three World Cup openers in its history.

Situation in Group D

The win was also notable because Australia was without its regular first-choice goalkeeper. Beach stepped in for the injured Matthew Ryan and made his third international appearance in Vancouver. In the closing stages, Australia's coach Tony Popovic also brought on St. Pauli captain Jackson Irvine, who came on as a substitute to see out the lead.

After the matchday, Australia sits atop Group D behind the United States, who beat Paraguay 4:1 in the parallel match. Turkey faces Paraguay in its next group game in San Francisco, while Australia meets co-host USA in Seattle on Friday.

Scotland Celebrates Historic Win

The day before, a different opening match had created an atmosphere in Boston: Scotland defeated Haiti 1:0, celebrating their first World Cup win in 36 years. John McGinn, who plays for Europa League winners Aston Villa, scored the decisive goal in the 28th minute. Tens of thousands of Scottish fans had previously turned the city into a party zone, among them singer Rod Stewart, who was seen in the stadium as a fan of the "Tartan Army."

Haiti, who had last appeared at a World Cup in 1974 and lost all three group games back then, traveled with considerably fewer supporters than usual. US government entry restrictions against Haiti were cited as the reason. Scotland thus leads Group C after the first matchday, in which Brazil and Morocco had earlier played out a 1:1 draw.

For Turkey, the task now is to process the opening defeat quickly. Coach Vincenzo Montella, who oversees a 26-man squad with a total market value of 170.25 million euros, must find the right answer with his team in the coming days. The situation remains difficult after the opening loss.

On Tuesday, the match in Boston rose amid the cheers of the Scots; on Wednesday evening, the Turkish defeat in Vancouver – Turkey's World Cup opener has thus thoroughly failed for now, while Scotland was able to celebrate its first success in over three decades.