Australia dominated Curaçao on Tuesday, another nation qualified for the 2026 World Cup, with a 5-1 victory in a friendly match in Melbourne. It was the Socceroos’ final home game before the World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, following their victory against Cameroon last week (1-0).
Awer Mabil opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half before Arjany Martha equalized in the 50th minute. The Australians scored two goals in four minutes: the first from a powerful header by Parma defender Alessandro Circati, and the second from a curling shot by Jordan Bos, the left-back from Feyenoord Rotterdam. Watford winger Nestory Irankunda then scored a brace late in the game.
A tough challenge for coach Fred Rutten
“A magnificent farewell. We wanted to win this match and end on a good note. Scoring five goals is a nice bonus,” said Tony Popovic, the Australia coach, who will face the United States, Paraguay, and the winner of the playoff final between Kosovo and Turkey at the 2026 World Cup.
Curaçao suffered another defeat, this time after losing 2-0 to China. The new coach, Dutchman Fred Rutten, faces a tough task for this island nation’s first participation in the World Cup, in a group that includes Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador.
Original article published on RMC Sport
