By Kunle Solaja, Vancouver.

Australia made a winning start to their FIFA World Cup campaign on Saturday, defeating Turkey 2-0 in their Group D opener and spoiling the Europeans’ long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage.

It was also the first-ever World Cup match in Vancouver. Goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe secured all three points for the Socceroos, who produced a disciplined display at both ends of the pitch.

Turkey were making their first World Cup appearance in 24 years, but Australia proved the more clinical side and capitalised on their opportunities to claim a valuable opening victory.

The breakthrough came in the 27th minute following a swift counter-attack. Irankunda showed excellent composure after controlling a long ball over the top, racing past a defender before firing a low shot inside the near post to give Australia the lead.

The goal settled the Socceroos, who defended resolutely for much of the contest while frustrating Turkey’s attempts to find a way back into the match.

Despite enjoying periods of possession, the Turks struggled to break down Australia’s organised back line, which stood firm throughout the encounter.

Australia eventually put the result beyond doubt in the 75th minute when Metcalfe produced a moment of quality from outside the penalty area.

The midfielder collected the ball around 20 yards from the goal and swept a precise effort into the net to double Australia’s advantage and extinguish any hopes of a Turkish comeback.

The victory gives Australia an ideal start in Group D and places them second in the standings behind co-hosts the United States, who opened their campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over Paraguay on Friday.

For Turkey, the defeat was a disappointing return to the World Cup after an absence stretching back to 2002. They will now need positive results in their remaining group matches to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.

Australia, meanwhile, will take confidence from a performance built on defensive discipline, clinical finishing and tactical efficiency as they look to advance from the group phase once again.
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Qatar celebrated a historic milestone on Saturday as a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser secured a 1-1 draw against Switzerland and earned the Gulf nation its first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup.

The Asian champions looked destined for another World Cup disappointment after trailing for most of the match to a first-half penalty from Swiss striker Breel Embolo. However, a late twist sparked wild celebrations among the Qataris and breathed new life into their Group B campaign.

The crucial moment arrived four minutes into stoppage time when a dangerous cross from Homam Ahmed caused confusion inside the Swiss penalty area. Qatar captain Boualem Khoukhi challenged for the ball, which ultimately deflected off Swiss defender Miro Muheim and into the net for an own goal.

The equaliser triggered scenes of jubilation as Qatar’s entire squad rushed onto the pitch to celebrate a landmark result.

For head coach Julen Lopetegui, it was a memorable start to life at the World Cup.

“We achieved one dream when we arrived here, to be here, and now today is another little dream,” Lopetegui said after the match.

“And we have the right to continue having the dream.”

The result represented a significant step forward for Qatar, whose World Cup debut on home soil in 2022 ended in disappointment with three defeats and no points.

Goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada endured a difficult afternoon but ultimately emerged as one of the heroes of the occasion.

The goalkeeper was responsible for the penalty that gave Switzerland the lead in the 17th minute after colliding heavily with Remo Freuler inside the six-yard box.

Freuler had raced onto a flick from Embolo before being brought down by Abunada. Referee Said Martinez immediately pointed to the spot, although a lengthy VAR review was required before the decision was confirmed.

Embolo made no mistake from the penalty spot to hand Switzerland a deserved lead after an impressive start.

The Swiss dominated much of the contest, creating 26 goal attempts compared to Qatar’s seven. They repeatedly threatened to extend their advantage but were frustrated by wasteful finishing, particularly from Dan Ndoye, while Michel Aebischer also saw an effort cleared off the line deep into first-half stoppage time.

Qatar struggled to create opportunities, with star forward Akram Afif closely marked throughout much of the match. Their best first-half opening came when Afif created space down the flank and supplied Edmilson for a first-time effort that was saved by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

The second half became a tactical battle, with Qatar defending in numbers and Switzerland unable to find the finishing touch needed to secure victory.

That inability to kill off the contest ultimately proved costly.

While Qatar celebrated, Switzerland were left frustrated after dominating possession and chances without collecting all three points.

Swiss coach Murat Yakin admitted his side had paid the price for their lack of efficiency in front of goal.

“We had an idea, and we wanted to be very dominant, very attacking,” Yakin said.

“We created very good chances, but unfortunately, we weren’t always efficient. Maybe we weren’t smart enough, not precise enough in the end.”

The draw leaves Group B perfectly balanced after co-hosts Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina also played out a 1-1 draw, meaning all four teams sit on one point after the opening round of matches.

Qatar will now head to Vancouver for a crucial clash against co-hosts Canada on Thursday, while Switzerland face Bosnia & Herzegovina in Los Angeles on the same day.

For the Qataris, however, the immediate focus was on celebrating a result that secured a cherished place in the nation’s football history. After years of investment and ambition, the Gulf nation finally has its first World Cup point.
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By Kunle Solaja.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke believes his side can approach their remaining FIFA World Cup Group C matches with less pressure after securing a crucial 1-0 victory over Haiti on Saturday.

The win ended Scotland’s long wait for an opening-match victory at a major tournament, their first since the 1982 World Cup, and significantly boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history.

With daunting fixtures against Morocco and Brazil still to come, the Scots knew defeat against Haiti could have severely damaged their qualification ambitions.

“The next two games against teams inside the world’s top 10 will be tough games, but obviously we’re going into them with a little bit less pressure than everybody put on us going into this game,” Clarke told reporters after the match.

“As well as everyone else, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves going into the first game.”

Scotland’s recent tournament record had done little to inspire confidence. Clarke’s side failed to win a match at either of their last two European Championship appearances, making the victory over Haiti particularly significant.

The Scotland manager praised his team’s defensive discipline and resilience, while acknowledging there is still room for improvement before facing stronger opposition.

“If we defend as well as we did there and show the same resilience and hopefully play a little bit better with the ball and create a little bit more, we’ll be okay,” he said.

Saturday’s success was only Scotland’s fifth victory in 24 World Cup matches, underlining the magnitude of the achievement.

“That just tells you how difficult it is for a country like Scotland to go to a World Cup and win games,” Clarke said.

“It doesn’t happen very often. When you’re told it’s a must-win game and you win it, then the players deserve a lot of credit for that. They deserve to be the team that’s finally got another win on the board in the World Cup.”

Scotland currently sit atop Group C following the 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco earlier in the day, leaving the group delicately poised ahead of the second round of matches.

For Clarke, however, the tournament represents more than results and standings. The 62-year-old admitted he is determined to savour the experience of leading his country on football’s biggest stage after a lifetime in the game.

“Sometimes I put myself under too much pressure,” he said.

“But when you’re in charge of a group of players like this, I think you have to appreciate what you’ve got, and I really appreciate what I’ve got in that squad.”

The Scotland boss also reflected on the personal significance of finally reaching a World Cup.

“I’ve never been to a World Cup. I’ve waited 62 years to be at a World Cup. I’ve been in football for 44 years. This for me is everything. It’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to go to the World Cup with my country.”

Scotland’s next challenge comes on Friday when they face Morocco in what could prove a decisive encounter in the race for a place in the knockout rounds. Haiti, meanwhile, will attempt to revive their campaign against five-time world champions Brazil
 

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