Mohamed Toure and Nestory Irankunda have dominated in beginning roles because the Socceroos retained the ‘Soccer Ashes’ with a 3-1 win over New Zealand in Auckland.
After profitable the reverse fixture 1-0 in Canberra final week, Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic rolled out the youngest Australian males’s beginning XI in eight years.
It paid main dividends as Toure, 21, and Irankunda, 19, mixed to attain all three objectives.Â
Toure and Irankunda — shut childhood mates — have been devastating in assault within the second half, with solely VAR denying Toure of a hat-trick in his maiden begin for the Socceroos.
“It is a surreal feeling beginning my first sport for the Socceroos,” he instructed Paramount+ after his starring function.
Mohamed Toure scored two objectives and had VAR deny him of a hat-trick in a dominant efficiency main the road for Australia. (Getty Photographs: Phil Walter)
“Simply enjoying and placing the jersey on is an enormous delight for me.
“I’ve identified Nestory for a really, very very long time, we dwell very shut to one another and we’re at all times hanging out.
“Now to see us each out right here enjoying for the Socceroos is superb.
“He is come a great distance as a child. He has loads to be taught, identical as me, I am additionally a child, so we’re each studying collectively and it is good to have a well-recognized face in camp, simply to be taught off one another.”
Irankunda scored his personal purpose within the 54th minute, but it surely was his long-range knuckle ball free kick from no less than 35m out from purpose that was the main speaking level post-game.
After scoring from two free kicks within the early a part of the season for second-tier English aspect Watford, Irankunda was denied by the crossbar with what he deemed to be one among his finest strikes of a useless ball.
“That [free kick attempt] is a 9.5 out of 10 as a result of it did not go in. I’ve to take a look at that afterwards, wow,” he instructed Paramount+.
“I assumed that might’ve been the very best purpose of my profession, for certain.”
Toure, who had been substituted when Irankunda lined up the 77th minute free kick, was equally shocked.
“When he shot it, I nearly died. I could not imagine what was occurring,” he mentioned.
“When he lined up I mentioned, ‘Nestory, simply do not embarrass us’, after which he hits it and it hits the crossbar, however that is Nestory for you, he does surprising issues.”
Popovic mentioned he was “in awe” of Irankunda’s strike, however was extra impressed with the teenage winger’s work price.
“He is a particular expertise and there is a particular shot that he has and we’ll speak about all the nice issues he does with the ball, however what’s most pleasing for me is how exhausting he labored. That will get missed a good bit,” he instructed Paramount+.
“What I’ve seen this 12 months at Watford, the boy has maturity and understanding that it’s important to work for the workforce, it’s important to defend if you wish to be the very best participant and the expertise will present with the ball.”
Irankunda was considerably controversially missed in Popovic’s first few squads since he took over as Socceroos coach final September, however mentioned each he and Toure had laid down a marker within the lead-up to subsequent 12 months’s FIFA World Cup.
Nestory Irankunda confirmed the followers in Auckland his trademark celebration after scoring one among Australia’s three objectives in opposition to New Zealand. (Getty Photographs: Fiona Goodall)
“We labored exhausting this low season for alternatives like this, and I really feel like tonight we grabbed it with two palms and we confirmed the nation and the world what we may do,” he mentioned.
Captained by 21-year-old Alessandro Circati — who solely discovered in regards to the honour shortly earlier than the sport — Australia opened the scoring via Toure within the thirty fifth minute.
Irankunda then delivered an excellent assault and end within the 54th minute, to depart the Australians 3-0 forward on mixture, after Australia’s 1-0 win within the first leg in Canberra.
Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wooden received in on the again after a defensive error from Milos Degenek to slip the ball house within the 57th minute and provides New Zealand some hope, offering the All Whites with their first purpose in opposition to Australia in 15 years.
However Toure grabbed his second a couple of minutes later, to revive Australia’s two-goal margin.
Toure thought he had scored his hat-trick within the 62nd minute with a tap-in after a arrange from Lewis Miller — however VAR dominated it out for offside.
The disallowed Toure purpose wasn’t the one VAR intervention of the match, as Kiwi centre again Tyler Bindon had a crimson card rescinded after initially being despatched off by referee Don Robertson for a problem on Irankunda.
The victory means the Socceroos stay undefeated in 10 outings underneath their new supervisor.Â
Popovic’s aspect has gained all six of its matches up to now throughout the calendar 12 months, together with spectacular victories over Asian powerhouses Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Look again on the dwell weblog under to see a recap of all of the motion because it occurred.
Key Occasions
2h ago2 hours agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 9:29am
2h ago2 hours agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 9:18am
2h ago2 hours agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 9:09am
Present all key occasions
New Zealand vs Socceroos dwell scoreboard
1h agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 9:37am
That is the place we’ll go away issues tonight
What a efficiency from the Socceroos. I reckon we’ll look again on tonight as the beginning of one thing actually particular in a couple of 12 months’s time.
Thanks for spending your night with me, catch you subsequent time!
1h agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 9:36am
The long run is trying brilliant for the Socceroos!
Is it attainable we now have a scoring duo accessible versus the one-off stars we’ve had prior to now?
– Phillip
Nice to see the kids being given some valuable sport time tonight. The way forward for Australian soccer is trying brilliant!
– Gerbil
Nice to see a few younger strikers (Toure and Irankunda) that know the best way to discover the online rising up via the ranks – it provides us hope for the long run. Thanks for the wonderful weblog Chris, see you subsequent time.
– Mike
It is honest to say the followers are excited tonight, and rightly so.
1h agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 9:34am
A take a look at Mo Toure’s stats after match-winning brace
Here is a take a look at Mo Toure’s numbers after a dominant efficiency main the road tonight:
Targets: 2
Photographs on course: 3/4 (75%)
Touches: 26
Touches in opposition field: 4
Floor duels gained: 2/4 (50%)
Correct passes: 12/14 (86%)
Probabilities created: 1
Popovic impressed with Toure and Irankunda’s performances
Here is Socceroos supervisor Tony Popovic on the efficiency of his star younger duo in assault. Firstly, on Mo Toure.
“Yeah, very pleased. Nonetheless clearly very early phases for him,” he tells Paramount+.
“He received an incredible reward, nearly received a hat-trick, it was a line-ball offside which was really actually good play between the gamers.
“He did very well, so after all we’re happy. Simply the way in which we created that with Connor (Metcalfe) in between the strains and the via ball, there have been higher indicators with the ball immediately.”
And eventually on Irankunda and that free kick try within the second half.
“I am in awe of that strike, actually. I noticed him do a few these in coaching,” he says.
“He is a particular expertise and there is a particular shot that he has and we’ll speak about all the nice issues he does with the ball, however what’s most pleasing for me is how exhausting he labored. That will get missed a good bit.
“What I’ve seen this 12 months at Watford, the boy has maturity and understanding that it’s important to work for the workforce, it’s important to defend if you wish to be the very best participant and the expertise will present with the ball.
“So actually, actually pleased together with his work price.”
Toure calls it ‘surreal’ to be beginning and scoring for Australia
Here is Mo Toure, who scored a brace in his first ever begin for Australia.
“It is a surreal feeling beginning my first sport for the Socceroos,” he tells Paramount+.
“Simply enjoying and placing the jersey on is an enormous delight for me.
“Simply persevering with our win streak, it is an incredible day for the workforce and me. The sensation of scoring my first one was superb.”
Here is what he needed to say on enjoying together with his nice mate Irankunda.
“I’ve identified Nestory for a really, very very long time, we dwell very shut to one another and we’re at all times hanging out,” he says.
“Now to see us each out right here enjoying for the Socceroos is superb.
“He is come a great distance as a child. He has loads to be taught, identical as me, I am additionally a child, so we’re each studying collectively and it is good to have a well-recognized face in camp, simply to be taught off one another.”
Toure’s requested about his response to Irankunda’s free kick, and his response is unbelievable.
“When he shot it, I nearly died. I could not imagine what was occurring,” he says.
“When he lined up I mentioned, ‘Nestory, simply do not embarrass us’, after which he hits it and it hits the crossbar, however that is Nestory for you, he does surprising issues.”
2h agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 9:11am
The total time stats from Auckland
Irankunda speaks after sensible efficiency in Socceroos win
Here is Nestory Irankunda on Paramount+ after the full-time whistle, he’s actually grinning from ear to ear.
“We began off sluggish, however turned stronger,” he says.
“That (free kick try) is a 9.5 out of 10 as a result of it did not go in. I’ve to take a look at that afterwards, wow.
“I assumed that might’ve been the very best purpose of my profession for certain.
“I am so pleased for him (Mo Toure) as a result of when he scores it looks like me that is scoring.
“We prepare day-after-day collectively, day-after-day within the low season as effectively, and our first 5 seasons as professionals have been collectively.
“To do it for the nationwide workforce as effectively has been superb and I am so pleased for him.
“We labored exhausting this low season for alternatives like this, and I really feel like tonight we grabbed it with two palms and we confirmed the nation and the world what we may do.”
FT: New Zealand (Wooden 57′) 1-3 Australia (Toure 35′, 60′; Irankunda 54′)
Tony Popovic’s Socceroos preserve their 100 per cent report in tact for the calendar 12 months with a formidable efficiency!
Not solely has Australia retained the ‘Soccer Ashes’, they’ve put New Zealand to the sword with some of the thrilling attacking shows from a Socceroos aspect in current reminiscence.
There was plenty of hype round Australia’s younger attacking duo of Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Toure, and my goodness, did they ship or what?
Toure struck the opener within the first half after which regarded to have added two in as many minutes earlier than VAR denied him a hat-trick.
Irankunda was quiet within the first half, however completely burst to life after the break, showcasing all of the attributes that make him one among Australia’s most fun males’s soccer prospects in a very long time.
A phrase too for Paul Izzo in purpose, who was sensible all night time, whereas Ale Circati, captaining the aspect at 21, was as composed as ever marshalling the Socceroos defence.
2h agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 8:57am
90′ We’re heading into harm time
New Zealand making an attempt to press for no less than another purpose as we head into stoppage time.
The fourth official signifies that we have got one other two minutes, which definitely appears on the low finish, given all of the motion on this half.
2h agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 8:53am
86′ Izzo and Irankunda’s evenings are performed
Two extra substitutions from Tony Popovic.
Paul Izzo has been changed by Joe Gauci, whereas Nestory Irankunda is taken off for Nicolas Milanovic.
Connor Metcalfe can also be taken off, with Ajdin Hrustic approaching.
Metcalfe has been completely excellent tonight and finishes with a pair of assists.
2h agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 8:49am
79′ A pair extra adjustments for the Kiwis
Two extra subs for New Zealand. Sarpreet Singh is changed by Luke Brooke-Smith, and Francis De Vries is changed by James McGarry.
77′ Irankunda hits the crossbar with a exceptional free kick
OH MY GOODNESS IRANKUNDA!
Irankunda is MILES out, no less than 35m, as he takes this free kick, however goes for one more knuckle ball and will get each little bit of it.
The ball seems like it should fly into the highest left nook, however cannons off the the crossbar and stays out.
“That is deadset outrageous,” says Harper on commentary.
That may have been a Puskas contender had that gone in.
With Toure off, Irankunda is now enjoying because the No.9 for the Socceroos.
2h agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 8:44am
75′ No hat-trick for Toure, who’s subbed off
Mo Toure’s unbelievable outing involves an finish as he is changed by Martin Boyle.
What a marker he is put all the way down to Tony Popovic forward of subsequent 12 months’s World Cup!
71′ VAR overturns crimson card name after Bindon’s problem on Irankunda
The Aussies aren’t pleased right here and the referee steps in!
Tyler Bindon with a sliding problem that flattens Nestory Irankunda.
Irankunda writhes on the ground in ache for a bit of bit, however the excellent news is he is again on his toes.
The on-field name is a crimson card, however there is a little bit of a stoppage as VAR has a glance.
Replays present Bindon would possibly’ve gotten to the ball first right here and his studs did not seem like unreasonably excessive.
The referee Dom Robertson is instructed to move to the monitor to have a look himself.
“If I am getting despatched for this, I am actually dissatisfied,” says Andy Harper on commentary.
Robertson rescinds his crimson card and exhibits a yellow as an alternative and we will all transfer on now.
2h agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 8:35am
68′ Time for some New Zealand substitutions
The All Whites resolve to ring some adjustments.
Chris Wooden comes off for Jesse Randall, whereas Callan Elliot replaces Tim Payne.
Ben Previous is changed by Logan Rogerson, whereas Ryan Thomas is changed by Callum McCowatt.
2h agoTue 9 Sep 2025 at 8:32am
64′ Time for some Australian substitutions
We have a quick lull right here and a few adjustments are being made by Tony Popovic.
I am unable to sustain with all this motion.
Anyway, Patrick Yazbek and Jordan Bos are on changing Lewis Miller and Max Balard.
62′ Toure’s hat-trick denied by VAR offside name
TOUREEEEEEEEE!!!!
You may be forgiven for pondering Mo Toure is Alexander Isak on the market as a result of he’s placing some completely elite No.9 soccer collectively.
Toure places in a via ball to Lewis Miller, who cuts it again in from the byline and Toure faucets it in for his hat-trick.
We have had 4 objectives in eight minutes.
However wait, VAR chimes in and denies Toure’s hat-trick attributable to an off-side name!
We have simply seen a replay and Miller was effectively offside when he was performed in by Toure.
60′ Toure doubles up with a scientific left-footed end
Mo Toure restores Australia’s two-goal lead with a fairly chic little bit of footwork!
A stunning little contact from Connor Metcalf places the ball into Toure’s path on the fringe of the field, and Toure drives together with his left foot and finishes with aplomb.
Completely deadly ending from Australia’s No.9 tonight.
I am going to let you know what, we’re in for some thrilling, thrilling instances with Toure and Irankunda up prime.
57′ Wooden will get New Zealand on the board with a toe poke
Grasp on, New Zealand aren’t performed fairly but as a result of Chris Wooden has a purpose!
A ball is curled in from the left wing and it catches Milos Degenek in an ungainly place.
Degenek tries to go for an overhead clearance, however barely makes contact with the ball, and Wooden operating in behind, toepokes it previous Izzo into the fitting nook.
We have a sport on now!
Present extra posts
