🔗 Share this article

Young talent Nestory Irankunda netted for the second game in a row, while shot-stopper Paul Izzo produced a outstanding performance to help the Socceroos to a tight 1-0 result over Canada.

Fixture Overview

After a uneventful first half dominated by the hosts, the Australian side came to life with the arrival of late replacements Jordy Bos, Lewis Miller, and Patrick Yazbek. It was Irankunda who broke the deadlock in the 71st minute.

Keeper Paul Izzo, starting ahead of captain Maty Ryan, made key saves, including a brilliant intervention to stop Jacob Shaffelburg in the 90th minute, ensuring Australia's seventh-straight victory.

NESTOR IRANKUNDA SCORES US IN FRONT IN CANADA! 🔥

🇨🇦 0 - 1 🇦🇺

Notable Highlights

• During the early stages, Tajon Buchanan burst into the penalty area, but captain Alessandro Circati executed a well-timed challenge to clear the danger.
• Shortly later, Irankunda dribbled past multiple opponents and set up Max Balard, whose attempt was blocked.
• Throughout the opening 45 minutes, the Australians found it difficult to keep possession, with Buchanan causing problems on the wing.
• Even with dominance from Canada, the disciplined Socceroos defense held firm, limiting opportunities before the break.

Post-Interval Turnaround

Two minutes into the second half, Irankunda went on a impressive dribble, evading Derek Cornelius and firing the ball toward the near post, where Mohamed Toure missed his attempt.

Substitutions in the second half injected immediate energy, with Irankunda pouncing on a poor clearance and finding Toure, who fired off target.

Later, Miller delivered a lovely cross to Yazbek, who flicked toward Circati, but the captain shot over the bar.

In the 70th minute, after a pinball situation in the box, the Australians cleared the danger.

Decisive Moment

Soon after, Connor Metcalfe released Toure on the right, and the striker pulled the ball back into a promising zone.

As a opposition player dithered, Irankunda sneaked in from the blind side to tap in his third strike.

Final Drama

Despite failing to score a second goal, the Socceroos were saved by Izzo's last-minute heroics.

Emotions boiled over in injury-time, resulting in Irankunda getting a booking and taken off amid a scuffle.

In a heated conclusion, the Australian defense and Izzo held firm to secure the win.

Next Steps

Having already qualified for the upcoming global tournament, the Australian squad are ramping up their preparation with warm-up matches against Canada and the United States, with a fixture set in Colorado next.