🔗 Share this article

Promising sensation Nestory Irankunda netted for the consecutive game in a row, while goalkeeper Paul Izzo put in a stellar performance to lead the Australian national team to a narrow 1-0 result over Canada.

Fixture Overview

Following a slow opening period controlled by the hosts, the Socceroos came to life with the arrival of second-half replacements Jordy Bos, Lewis Miller, and Patrick Yazbek. It was Irankunda who scored the decider in the second half.

Keeper Paul Izzo, selected ahead of skipper Maty Ryan, made several saves, including a world-class effort to stop Jacob Shaffelburg in the 90th minute, securing Australia's seventh consecutive victory.

NESTOR IRANKUNDA PUTS AUSTRALIA AHEAD IN MONTREAL! 🔥

🇨🇦 0 - 1 🇦🇺

Notable Moments

• During the third minute, Tajon Buchanan charged into the box, but defender Alessandro Circati executed a well-timed challenge to avert the threat.
• Shortly later, Irankunda dribbled past multiple defenders and set up Max Balard, whose shot was deflected.
• During the opening 45 minutes, the Australians found it difficult to maintain possession, with Buchanan causing issues on the right flank.
• Even with pressure from Canada, the organized Socceroos defense stood strong, restricting opportunities before the halftime.

Post-Interval Shift

Two minutes into the second half, Irankunda embarked on a impressive dribble, beating Derek Cornelius and firing the ball toward the goal, where Mohamed Toure scuffed his shot.

Substitutions in the second half brought immediate energy, with Irankunda capitalizing on a poor clearance and setting up Toure, who shot off target.

Soon after, Miller delivered a precise ball to Yazbek, who backheeled toward Circati, but the skipper blasted over the bar.

During the closing stages, after a pinball situation in the box, the Socceroos cleared the situation.

Winning Goal

Moments later, Connor Metcalfe released Toure on the wing, and the forward pulled the ball back into a promising area.

When a opposition player dithered, Irankunda slid in from the blind side to tap in his third international strike.

Final Drama

Although unable to add a second goal, the team were saved by Izzo's last-minute saves.

Tempers boiled over in injury-time, leading to Irankunda receiving a booking and taken off amid a scuffle.

In a spiteful conclusion, the Australian defense and Izzo stood their ground to seal the result.

Next Steps

Having now secured a spot for the next global tournament, the Australian squad are ramping up their preparation with friendlies against North American opponents and the USA, with a fixture scheduled in Colorado on Wednesday.