Australia easily outclassed Curaçao during a friendly match organized this Tuesday in Melbourne (5-1). The Sooceroos did not have to exert their talent to dominate the Caribbean team, which will participate in its first World Cup this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Australia outclassed Curaçao, another nation qualified for the 2026 World Cup, this Tuesday by a score of 5-1, during a friendly match in Melbourne. This was the Socceroos’ last home match before the World Cup which will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, after their victory against Cameroon last week (1-0).
Awer Mabil opened the scoring for the home side in the first half before Arjany Martha equalized in the 50th minute. The Australians scored two goals in four minutes: the first with a powerful header from Parma defender Alessandro Circati, the second with a curling shot from Jordan Bos, the left back of Feyenoord Rotterdam. Watford winger Nestory Irankunda then scored a double at the end of the game.
A complicated challenge for coach Fred Rutten
“A magnificent farewell. We wanted to win this match and leave on a good note. Scoring five goals is a nice bonus”, rejoiced Tony Popovic, the coach of Australia, who will face the United States, Paraguay and the winner of the play-off final between Kosovo and Turkey at the 2026 World Cup.
Curaçao for its part continues a new defeat after losing 2-0 against China. The new coach, Dutchman Fred Rutten, finds himself faced with a daunting task for the Caribbean island nation’s first participation in the World Cup, in a group that will include Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
