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Socceroos goal scorer Connor Metcalfe as a student at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School.

As a teen, Connor was ‘half the size of everybody else’. On Sunday, he made history

For Connor Metcalfe’s high school soccer coaches in Melbourne, his incredible goal against Turkey was something they had long known was possible.

  • Jackson Graham

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Patrick Beach in the outfield as an Alligator with Glenmore Park FC.

How Socceroos’ newest star went from accidental goalkeeper to national hero

Ten years ago, Patrick Beach was playing softball, left-back and dabbling in goalkeeping. On Sunday, he made a name for himself on soccer’s biggest stage.

  • Emma Kemp

I couldn’t have named a single Socceroo before the weekend. But now, I’m their biggest fan

Come on! Jump aboard! There’s room for everyone on the Aussie World Cup bandwagon.

  • Rita Glennon
Mohamed Toure in action against Turkey.

‘Experience only does so much’: A world of possibilities awaits the Socceroos

If Australia’s win over Turkey shows what’s possible today, with the youngest World Cup team Australia has ever fielded, what else could be?

  • Vince Rugari
Australia’s Nestory Irankunda celebrates the win over Turkey.

‘Let these people talk’: After silencing Turkey, Irankunda turns to his American doubters

Nestory Irankunda and the Socceroos know the talk is going to continue but he and his teammates are fired up to prove critics in the USA wrong when the two nations meet in a pivotal group game.

  • Vince Rugari
World Cup gif.

Anatomy of the Socceroos’ stunners: How Irankunda and Metcalfe pulled off moments of magic

Two moments of pure quality put the Socceroos on the path to a famous victory. We break down exactly how the goals were scored.

  • Emma Kemp
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Connor Metcalfe is swarmed by Socceroos teammates.

FIFA World Cup 2026 results as it happened: ‘Who got the goals? We got the goals’: Irankunda responds to Turkey’s talk

Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe delivered Australia’s first win in a World Cup opener since 2006 to set up a blockbuster showdown next Saturday with Group D rivals and hosts USA.

  • Emma Kemp, Frances Howe, Nick Ralston and Roy Ward
Nestory Irankunda has become a sensation.

‘Do something special’: New national hero Nestory Irankunda says Socceroos have just begun

The loftiest dreams of the Socceroos were realised with a stunning 2-0 victory over Turkey in Vancouver.

  • Nick Ralston
Aiden O’Neill, Jordan Bos and Connor Metcalfe all played a part in Australia’s World Cup win over Turkey.

‘A performance the world will notice’: Socceroos player ratings after World Cup win over Turkey

The Socceroos won their opening match over Turkey. Here are our player ratings from a special win in Vancouver.

  • Roy Ward
Nestory Irankunda celebrates his World Cup goal in Vancouver.

Popovic made some massive calls. It’s fair to say they paid off

Questions over the Socceroos coach only grew once the team to play Turkey was announced on Sunday. The result justified every move.

  • Vince Rugari