🔗 Share this article

Emerging sensation Nestory Irankunda netted for the second fixture in a row, while shot-stopper Paul Izzo delivered a superb display to guide the Australian national team to a narrow 1-0 result over Canada.

Game Summary

After a uneventful opening period controlled by the hosts, the Australian side found their rhythm with the entry of late replacements Jordy Bos, Lewis Miller, and Patrick Yazbek. It was Irankunda who made the difference in the second half.

Keeper Paul Izzo, selected in place of skipper Maty Ryan, made several stops, including a brilliant intervention to deny Jacob Shaffelburg in the 90th minute, ensuring Australia's seventh-straight win.

NESTOR IRANKUNDA SCORES US IN FRONT IN MONTREAL! 🔥

🇨🇦 0 - 1 🇦🇺

Notable Moments

• In the early stages, Tajon Buchanan burst into the box, but defender Alessandro Circati made a perfectly timed tackle to avert the danger.
• Shortly later, Irankunda dribbled past two opponents and passed to Max Balard, whose shot was blocked.
• During the first half, the Australians struggled to maintain the ball, with Buchanan creating issues on the right flank.
• Despite dominance from the hosts, the organized Socceroos backline stood strong, restricting chances before the halftime.

Post-Interval Turnaround

Early into the second half, Irankunda embarked on a wonderful run, beating Derek Cornelius and driving the ball toward the goal, where Mohamed Toure missed his attempt.

Substitutions in the second half brought instant energy, with Irankunda capitalizing on a deflected pass and setting up Toure, who shot wide.

Later, Miller delivered a lovely ball to Yazbek, who backheeled toward Circati, but the skipper blasted over the bar.

In the 70th minute, following a pinball situation in the box, the Socceroos cleared the danger.

Winning Moment

Soon after, Connor Metcalfe released Toure on the wing, and the forward cut the ball back into a promising zone.

As a Canadian defender hesitated, Irankunda slid in from the blind side to tap in his third international goal.

Final Action

Although unable to add a second goal, the Socceroos were rescued by Izzo's last-minute heroics.

Tempers flared in stoppage time, leading to Irankunda receiving a booking and being substituted amid a scuffle.

During a heated conclusion, the Australian defense and Izzo stood their ground to secure the win.

Next Steps

With already qualified for the upcoming global tournament, the Australian squad are ramping up their preparation with warm-up matches against North American opponents and the USA, with a fixture set in Colorado on Wednesday.