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Emerging sensation Nestory Irankunda netted for the consecutive game in a row, as goalkeeper Paul Izzo put in a outstanding display to lead the Socceroos to a narrow 1-0 win over Canada.

Game Overview

Following a uneventful first half controlled by the Canadian team, the Australian side improved with the introduction of late substitutes Jordy Bos, Lewis Miller, and Patrick Yazbek. It was Irankunda who made the difference in the 71st minute.

Keeper Paul Izzo, starting ahead of captain Maty Ryan, produced several stops, featuring a world-class effort to deny Jacob Shaffelburg in the dying moments, securing Australia's seventh-straight win.

NESTOR IRANKUNDA SCORES US IN FRONT IN CANADA! 🔥

🇨🇦 0 - 1 🇦🇺

Key Moments

• In the third minute, Tajon Buchanan charged into the penalty area, but captain Alessandro Circati made a well-timed challenge to avert the danger.
• Eight minutes later, Irankunda dribbled past multiple opponents and set up Max Balard, whose attempt was deflected.
• During the first half, the Socceroos struggled to maintain possession, with Buchanan causing problems on the wing.
• Even with pressure from the hosts, the disciplined Socceroos defense held firm, restricting chances before the break.

Post-Interval Shift

Early into the second half, Irankunda embarked on a impressive run, evading Derek Cornelius and firing the ball toward the goal, where Mohamed Toure missed his shot.

Substitutions in the 57th minute brought immediate impact, with Irankunda pouncing on a deflected clearance and finding Toure, who shot wide.

Later, Miller delivered a lovely cross to Yazbek, who flicked toward Circati, but the captain blasted high.

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

Winning Moment

Soon after, Connor Metcalfe sent Toure on the right, and the forward pulled the ball back into a promising area.

As a Canadian player hesitated, Irankunda slid in from the unmarked position to score his third strike.

Late Action

Although failing to add a another, the Socceroos were rescued by Izzo's late saves.

Tempers boiled over in stoppage time, leading to Irankunda receiving a yellow card and being substituted amid a scuffle.

In a spiteful final few minutes, the Socceroos backline and Izzo held firm to seal the result.

Next Steps

With now qualified for the upcoming World Cup, the Australian squad are ramping up their preparation with warm-up matches against Canada and the United States, with a fixture set in Colorado on Wednesday.