Irankunda Nets Double as Socceroos Crush Curacao in Pre-World Cup Friendly

Dynamic forward Irankunda netted twice in a rapid five-minute spell starting from the 80th minute, as Australia overwhelmed Curacao with four goals after halftime against the tiniest nation to reach the World Cup finals.

Jordy Bos and Alessandro Circati also found the net in the second period at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, following Curacao's Arjany Martha effort for the away side on 50 minutes, which had levelled Awer Mabil's opener in the 23rd minute.

This displayed a stronger showing for the Socceroos, following their laboured 1-0 victory against Cameroon in a midweek friendly.

Australia appeared uncoordinated during much of the opening half, facing issues in advancing play and relying on goalkeeper Mat Ryan for two crucial stops.

However, they gained control around the 23-minute mark with some luck on their side.

Kai Trewin advanced and intercepted a misplaced pass from Curacao skipper Leandro Bacuna, delivering a cross to Deni Juric, whose clever back-heel flicked off an opponent, enabling Mabil to nudge the ball into the far corner.

Ryan pulled off an excellent stop just before halftime, after Bacuna's pass set up Jeremy Antonisse for a low drive that the keeper clutched at full stretch.

The Socceroos came close to a second goal on 43 minutes, as Hrustic swung in a deep delivery for Mabil, whose volley crashed against the upright.

Curacao began the second half with vigour and equalised on 50 minutes, when replacement Gervane Kastaneer nodded the ball to free Martha, who charged ahead and slotted past Ryan in a one-on-one duel.

Circati hit back 17 minutes on with his debut international strike, leaping to connect with a header from a bending cross by Riley McGree.

Bos, fresh from his goal against Cameroon, delivered an exquisite finish, whipping a right-footed effort into the net.

Coming off the bench in the second half, Irankunda sealed the win with style, using nimble footwork to evade defender Jurien Gaari before unleashing a powerful drive that glanced off goalkeeper Eloy Room and trickled over the line.

Just four minutes after, he delighted the local supporters again with a sharp strike into the bottom left corner.

Australia face their first World Cup fixture on June 13 versus Kosovo or Turkey, with the pair clashing in a playoff later that Tuesday.