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World Cup 2026: Australia stun Turkey after selection gamble pays off

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Australia scored a stunning 2-0 upset over Turkey in their World Cup Group D opener on Saturday as coach Tony Popovic’s bold selection gamble paid off.

Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored the goals and rookie goalkeeper Patrick Beach produced a string of crucial saves to help secure a famous Australian victory at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium.

Australia coach Popovic had pulled off a massive shock in his starting line-up, dropping experienced captain and goalkeeper Maty Ryan in favour of Beach, winning only his third cap.

Vice-captain Jackson Irvine was also dropped in favour of 21-year-old midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler in a starting XI that featured 10 World Cup debutants.

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Both of those selections proved to be inspired, with Beach pulling off a string of fine saves to deny Turkey, who dominated possession and territory but could not find a way past the Australian goalkeeper.

Okon-Engstler meanwhile was instrumental in setting up the opening goal in the first half, unfurling a long ball that split the Turkish defence and sent Irankunda racing in on goal to score.

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: Brazil and Morocco draw in heavyweight Group C opener

Turkey – playing in the World Cup for the first time since finishing third at the 2002 tournament – arrived in North America dreaming of making a serious run in the knockout rounds.

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But their talented team made up largely of players who regularly compete in the European Champions League were unable to get to grips with a well-organised Socceroos line-up.

One of Turkey’s best chances came in the 27th minute when Real Madrid‘s Arda Guler forced a smart save from Beach with a rasping shot.

Just seconds after that chance though Australia took the lead.

Beach picked out Okon-Engstler deep in the Australia half, and the 21-year-old midfielder pumped the ball upfield for Irankunda.

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The Australia winger still had plenty to do but a clever first touch took him clear of the covering defence before he tucked away a low finish.

Irankunda celebrated by sprinting to the edge of the pitch and pretending to box the corner flag, mimicking former Australia skipper Tim Cahill’s signature goal celebration.

Turkey thought they had equalised three minutes later after Abdulkerim Bardakci’s piledriver from outside of the area hurtled towards goal.

But Beach got the slightest of fingertips to divert the ball onto the post and Australia survived again.

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Beach kept up his commanding form in the second half, turning a Guler free-kick wide for a corner on 57 minutes.

With Beach continuing to make save after save, Australia made the game safe in the 75th minute when Metcalfe picked the ball up in midfield, advanced on goal and shot home from 25 yards.

The win leaves Australia level on three points with Group D leaders the United States, with the two teams due to meet in Seattle on Friday.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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5 WWE Superstars who would’ve benefited from being in the Interim WWE Women’s Title Ladder Match at SummerSlam

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Rhea Ripley’s meniscus injury has forced the company to crown an Interim WWE Women’s Champion, and they are going to do so in a massive five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam.

The field is stacked with former champions. Tiffany Stratton, Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, and Chelsea Green are confirmed to participate in the bout. Giulia and Lash Legend will collide on this week’s SmackDown for the final spot in the match.

While the bout is sure to be exciting, it could be argued that WWE could have used this opportunity to showcase fresher or underrated talent instead of established names. Here are five stars who would have benefited from being in the five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam.

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#5. Jacy Jayne

Jacy Jayne arrived on SmackDown following WrestleMania 42 alongside Fatal Influence, and the group has already secured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. That said, while Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid have gold, Jayne does not.

The Rockstar faced Tiffany Stratton in a qualifying match for the ladder match, but didn’t win. Fatal Influence is now set to face The Bella Twins and Paige at SummerSlam. While it’s a positive that the group has made it to the card, it would have been more beneficial for Jacy Jayne if she had qualified for the five-way Ladder Match.

Jayne carried the NXT women’s division for a long time and has enough experience as a main event talent. The Ladder Match would have been an excellent opportunity for her to showcase her in-ring prowess and establish her on SmackDown.


#4. Candice LeRae

Candice LeRae is one of the most experienced women on the roster. However, despite being a veteran, she hasn’t had a clear direction on television in a while. The five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam could have been a great way to reintroduce her to the mix.

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Currently, her only television time is alongside her husband, Johnny Gargano, who lies motionless backstage, as she tries to get him back to normal. A competitor like LeRae deserves to be in the ring, competing with the best of WWE.

Even if she does not win, Candice LeRae would have benefitted immensely from being included in the five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam.


#3. Michin

Michin is known for her fearlessness in the ring, a quality that could have shined in the five-way Ladder Match. She and B-Fab are currently in a group led by Jade Cargill. While The Storm is in the match, her stablemates didn’t receive an opportunity to qualify.

Michin could have produced several memorable moments in the five-way Ladder Match if she had participated in it. It would have made the match better and showcased her in a different light.

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#2. Fallon Henley

Fallon Henley could have been a sleeper pick for the five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam. While all three women in Fatal Influence have been impressive, Henley has generated a lot of popularity for herself online.

The company could have capitalized on it and had her compete in the Interim WWE Women’s Championship match. For a young star like Henley, an impressive performance in a high-stakes match could become a career-defining moment.


#1. WWE star Blake Monroe

Perhaps the most surprising omission from the five-way Ladder Match and the SummerSlam card in general is Blake Monroe. The Glamour has arrived on SmackDown, but she has yet to have a televised match as a main roster star.

Monroe is regarded as one of the most promising talents, and SummerSlam could have been the perfect opportunity to introduce her to the main roster. Despite being young, the former AEW star is no stranger to big-time matches and could have added a lot to the Ladder Match.

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