Top News

Australia stun Türkiye; Scotland triumph over Haiti; Brazil and Morocco share spoils
Priya Nambiar | June 14, 2026 3:16 PM CST

Day three of the FIFA World Cup 2026 concluded with a series of captivating matches that kept fans around the globe glued to their screens.

FULL-TIME: AUSTRALIA 2-0 TÜRKİYE

In an outstanding display of tactical discipline and counter-attacking precision, Australia pulled off a major upset against Türkiye. The Socceroos’ performance was commanding, securing a memorable victory over one of the tournament’s dark horses.

Australia opened the scoring through Nestory Irankunda, who dazzled the crowd with a solo effort, beating his defender before slotting the ball neatly into the bottom-left corner. At just 20 years old, Irankunda became the youngest player ever to score for Australia at a World Cup.

Connor Metcalfe doubled the lead late in the second half, curling a superb long-range strike into the bottom-right corner to seal the result. Despite Türkiye’s relentless effort and several late chances — including Zeki Çelik’s close-range attempt saved by Patrick Beach — the Australian defence stood resolute until the final whistle.

Earlier, Türkiye’s Arda Güler came close with a curling effort over the bar, and goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır made an excellent save to deny Harry Souttar’s header. However, Australia’s defensive organisation and counter-attacking threat made all the difference.

As the match concluded in Vancouver, questions began to arise about whether this Australian side could be the tournament’s real surprise package.

FULL-TIME: SCOTLAND 1-0 HAITI

Scotland marked their return to the World Cup stage with a hard-fought win over Haiti in Boston. John McGinn’s deflected shot proved decisive, delivering Scotland their first World Cup victory since 1990.

McGinn’s goal not only secured three points but also etched his name into the record books as the oldest player to score for Scotland at a World Cup. Meanwhile, Ben Gannon-Doak became the youngest player to feature for the Tartan Army at the tournament — a symbolic passing of the torch for Scottish football.

Despite Haiti’s spirited attacking play, the Scots held firm. Scott McTominay nearly doubled the lead when his first-time shot struck the post. Fans at the Boston Fan Festival erupted in joy as McGinn’s goal sent Scotland to the top of Group C, following Brazil and Morocco’s earlier draw.

FULL-TIME: BRAZIL 1-1 MOROCCO

In a thrilling contest between two global heavyweights, Brazil and Morocco were forced to share points after an engaging 1-1 draw. Both goals came in the first half through moments of individual brilliance.

Morocco struck first in the 21st minute when Ismael Saibari of PSV Eindhoven lofted a delightful chip over Alisson to open the scoring — the first goal from outside the penalty area in this World Cup. However, Brazil responded swiftly, with Vinicius Junior equalising 11 minutes later after a sharp move inside the box.

The second half saw both teams push for a winner. Brazil’s Igor Thiago — who scored 22 goals for Brentford last season — missed a golden opportunity, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced several key saves to deny Raphinha and Lucas Paquetá. Morocco threatened late as well, but Alisson stood strong to preserve the draw.

Casemiro and Roger Ibañez both received yellow cards for Brazil, while Morocco’s full-backs Noussair Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi were constant threats down the flanks. Despite the intense heat in the USA affecting the tempo, the match was defined by fine margins and flashes of world-class football.

FULL-TIME: QATAR 1-1 SWITZERLAND

In San Francisco, hosts Qatar secured their first-ever World Cup point after a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser against Switzerland. Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty gave the Swiss a deserved lead, but Boualem Khoukhi’s towering header in stoppage time salvaged a crucial draw for Qatar.

Switzerland dominated large spells of the match, with Dan Ndoye and Michel Aebischer both missing golden opportunities. Gregor Kobel was rarely troubled until the final moments, when Khoukhi rose highest to nod in the equaliser, sparking wild celebrations from Qatari fans.

Despite Switzerland’s control, their inability to finish chances proved costly, while Qatar’s resilience earned them a valuable result to kick off their campaign.

With day three now complete, the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to deliver drama, surprises, and unforgettable moments across North America.


READ NEXT
Cancel OK