Australia Stun Turkey as Kerem Aktürkoğlu Image Goes Viral

Australia produced one of the first shocks of the 2026 World Cup on Sunday morning, June 14, in Vancouver, beating Turkey 2-0. Turkey had more of the ball, 72 percent to 28, and also took more shots, 8 to 4, but Tony Popovic's side scored twice on counterattacks and controlled the match's decisive moments.

Most of the postgame attention fell on Turkish forward Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who could not get past the Australian defense or goalkeeper. A photo of the Fenerbahçe striker, who is 173 cm tall, standing against Australia's towering back line spread widely online and became a symbol of the mismatch. The defenders singled out in the viral image were Cameron Burgess at 194 cm, Harry Souttar at 198 cm, and Alessandro Circati at 190 cm.

Aktürkoğlu said after the match, “We knew they would stay close to their goal and try to score on counterattacks. We could not stop that. We missed chances, then they scored first. When you play well and control the ball, then concede, it is hard. Players like us need better footwork.” He added, “Everything is still in our hands. We will learn from the mistakes. We should not look for culprits.”

Former Turkey striker Nihat Kahveci, working as a television analyst for the game, was far more critical. “I am very disappointed,” he said. “The players who were supposed to score did not play at their level, and those who were supposed to defend failed at their job. Nobody did his job.”