Australia defeated Turkey 2-0 in their opening match of Group D qualifying for the World Cup, marking a disappointing start for Turkey’s return to the competition. Goals from Irankunda and Metcalfe secured the win for the Australian team, known as the Socceroos. The match represented Turkey’s first appearance on the World Cup stage in over a decade, adding to the significance of the loss. Despite expectations for a strong Turkish performance, Australia dominated the game, effectively halting Turkey’s momentum. The result places Australia in a favorable position within Group D, while Turkey will need to regroup and fight for qualification in subsequent matches. The game was played with high stakes as both teams aimed to establish early dominance in the qualifying group.