Australia stun Turkey 2-0 as World Cup Day 3 delivers upsets

World Cup Day 3: Australia Stun Turkey, Scotland End 36-Year Wait, Qatar Make History

The third day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered drama across four venues on Saturday, with Australia producing the standout result — a 2-0 defeat of Turkey in Vancouver — while Scotland celebrated their first World Cup victory since 1990 and Qatar earned a historic point against Switzerland.

Australia Shock Turkey in Vancouver

Australia upset Turkey 2-0 at BC Place in what coach Tony Popovic called a proud moment for a young squad. Nestory Irankunda, the 20-year-old Watford forward, became Australia’s youngest World Cup goalscorer when he finished off a swift counter-attack midway through the first half. Connor Metcalfe doubled the lead in the 75th minute with a powerful low strike from outside the penalty area.nytimes

Popovic, who made bold selection calls by benching captain Maty Ryan and veteran Jackson Irvine, said the win validated his trust in youth. “You can’t underestimate what this will do for their confidence and belief,” Popovic said afterward. “Being a World Cup game is enough, playing a host nation is enough for us. We’ll recover, we’ll prepare and respect a very good US side.”aleagues

Australia now sit level with co-hosts the United States atop Group D, with the two teams set to meet in Seattle on June 20.espn

Scotland Win for the First Time in 36 Years

In Foxborough, Massachusetts, Scotland secured a 1-0 victory over Haiti in front of 64,146 fans — the first men’s World Cup match at the venue since 1994. John McGinn’s deflected strike in the 28th minute proved decisive, making him the oldest Scotsman to score at a World Cup at 31 years and 238 days. It was Scotland’s first appearance on the World Cup stage in 28 years and their first win at the tournament since beating Sweden in Italia ’90.bbc

Steve Clarke’s side top Group C after Brazil and Morocco drew 1-1 earlier in the day.espn

Brazil Draw Morocco; Qatar Earn First World Cup Point

At MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Morocco took the lead through Ismael Saibari’s lob over Alisson before Vinícius Júnior equalized in the 32nd minute to earn Brazil a 1-1 draw. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted “nerves” affected his players during a poor opening spell.nytimes

In Santa Clara, California, Qatar made history by earning their first-ever World Cup point. After falling behind to a Breel Embolo penalty, captain Boualem Khoukhi headed a stoppage-time equalizer to stun Switzerland 1-1. Qatar had previously gone winless and pointless across three group-stage matches as 2022 hosts.cbssports