WATCH: Socceroos battle to impressive 1-0 win in Canada
The Commbank Socceroos produced a hard-fought display to down Canada 1-0 on Saturday morning (AEDT).
Canada dominated possession for most of the game, but Australia remained resolute and kept their opponents scoreless, courtesy of a goalkeeping masterclass from Paul Izzo.
Nestory Irankunda snatched the winning goal in the second half to extend Australia’s unbeaten run to eleven matches under Tony Popovic and secure a seventh straight win.
The hosts made a purposeful start to the match, holding possession high up and getting into the Aussies’ box.
Canada conjured up a shooting chance 12 minutes in as Socceroos captain Alessandro Circati’s clearance came out to Nathan Saliba, whose dipping volley fell wide of the left post.
Australia were ready to pounce on the counter with Irankunda, Connor Metcalfe, and Mohamed Toure looking to combine up front.
In the 17th minute, the side won a free-kick on the right, where Metcalfe whipped a vicious in-swinging effort that Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau had to punch away.
Canada continued to probe, and in the 24th minute, Saliba tried his luck again, this time from further out, but the ball sailed over.
Over the next 10 minutes, Izzo was called into action twice to deny promising moves for the home side.
In the 42nd minute, the constant threat of Tajon Buchanan latched onto a ball into the right of the box and forced Izzo into a low save.
Australia survived Canada’s first-half surge to head into half-time level.
The Socceroos fought back at the start of the second half, as the team got into some promising positions.
The early momentum saw their best chance so far just before the hour mark. Irankunda broke down the left and found Toure in a central position, but the forward volleyed over.
Canada took the ball down the other end soon after through Ismael Kone, who blasted a shot from outside the box that Izzo caught.
Australia created an even better opportunity 62 minutes in. The recently introduced Patrick Yazbek pulled off a neat backheel and picked out Circati in a fantastic position in the box, but the defender skied his effort.
In the 70th minute, Canada came close to opening the scoring as the ball fell to Promise David centrally, but he could only fire straight at Izzo.
Moments later, the Socceroos stunned their opponents to take the lead. Mohamed Toure set off on a determined run down the right and crossed the ball in, where Irankunda pounced on Canada defender Niko Sigur to slide an effort past Crepeau.
Australia started to pick up more space in attack as Canada pushed numbers forward to find a route back into the match, with flash points increasing.
However, Canada rebuilt their pressure and had a flurry of opportunities to equalise.
In the final minute of regular time, Liam Miller swung in a right-wing cross for Jacob Shaffleburg, but Izzo produced a superb point-blank save.
Deep into stoppage time, Promise David made room for a shot in the right of the box that Izzo expertly repelled once more.
With only seconds remaining, Tani Oluwaseyi rose highest to a cross and saw the ball bounce onto the right post.
The final whistle blew after an exhilarating finish in Montreal as Australia secured their seventh victory in a row.
Match Summary
Canada 0
Commbank Socceroos 1 (Nestory Irankunda 71’)
Saturday 11 October 2025
Stade Saputo, Montreal
Canada: 16. Maxime Crepeau, 22. Richie Laryea, 13. Derek Cornelius (15. Luc de Fougerolles 69’), 5. Joel Waterman, 23. Niko Sigur (12. Tani Oluwaseyi 78’), 19. Nathan Saliba (6. Mathieu Choiniere 69’), 8. Ismael Kone, 20. Ali Ahmed (14. Jacob Shaffelburg 63’), 17. Tajon Buchanan (11. Liam Miller 77’), 10. Jonathan David, 9. Cyle Larin (24. Promise David 63’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Dayne St Clair, 18. Luka Gavran, 3. Zorhan Bassong, 4. Kamal Miller, 7. Stephen Eustaquio, 21. Jonathan Osorio, 25. Jayden Nelson
Yellow Cards: Derek Cornelius 41’, Richie Laryea 90+1’, Joel Waterman 90+3’
Red Cards: Nil
Commbank Socceroos: 12. Paul Izzo, 20. Jacob Italiano (3. Lewis Miller 57’), 23. Alessandro Circati, 2. Milos Degenek, 21. Cam Burgess, 4. Kye Rowles (5. Jordy Bos 57’), Aiden O’Neill, 16. Max Balard (19. Patrick Yazbek 57’), 8. Connor Metcalfe (6. Martin Boyle 83’), 14. Nestory Irankunda (11. Daniel Arzani 90+3’), 9. Mohamed Toure (15. Mitch Duke 73’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Maty Ryan, 10. Ajdin Hrustic, 17. Cameron Devlin, 18. Joe Gauci, 22. Jason Geria, 25. Hayden Matthews
Yellow Cards: Mohamed Toure 41’, Aiden O’Neill 90+1’, Nestory Irankunda 90+2’
Red Cards: Nil