Teen prodigy Nestor Irankunda stuns Turkey with spectacular World Cup opener

Australia opened its 2026 World Cup campaign in dramatic fashion, beating Turkey in the early hours of Sunday thanks to a brilliant 27th-minute goal by Nestor Irankunda. The Socceroos, who had lost their opening match in each of their previous four World Cups, suddenly looked set to change that pattern. Israeli sports outlet Sport 5 described the strike as a “goal from a movie,” while Australian broadcaster ABC said that if Vancouver’s stadium had a roof, it would have flown “somewhere in Vancouver Bay.”

The goal came after Patrick Beach kept out an effort from Arda Guler. Australia then surged forward, and Turkey could not keep up with the pace. Paul Okon-Engstler delivered the through ball, Irankunda shook free from the defenders and fired a shot into the left corner. FOX said Australia’s tempo caused problems for the Turks, who “paid the price” with the spectacular finish.

Irankunda is only 20, but he is already one of Australia’s best-known young players. He scored his first goal for Adelaide United at 15, then joined Bayern Munich in 2024 for a record 1.8 million euros for the Australian league. He was later loaned to Grasshoppers in Switzerland and then moved to Watford in England’s second-tier Championship for 4 million euros.

Athletic reported that former national-team coach Graham Arnold tried to shield him from the expectations attached to being labeled Australia’s most exciting young player ever. But, according to the report, his confidence, close control and eye for spectacular goals have made that impossible.