Another victory, another clean sheet and an another game unbeaten. The CommBank Socceroos just continue to roll on under Tony Popovic after Saturday’s gritty 1-0 win over 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup hosts Canada in Montreal.
Nestory Irankunda’s second-half goal and his second in two games guided the World Cup-bound Socceroos to a seventh straight win and 11th fixture unbeaten.
It is Australia’s best run of form since an 11-match undefeated streak under former boss Graham Arnold during 2022 World Cup qualifying.
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However, there was one moment – off the ball – that highlighted Tony Popovic’s work and the growth of Isuzu UTE A-League product Irankunda, who was one of nine players in the starting XI to have come through the domestic competition, either via an academy or the first team including debutant Jacob Italiano.
In a tense finale at Stade Saputo where A-Leagues graduate Paul Izzo starred in goals, tensions boiled over in stoppage time as Watford star Irankunda and Canada defender Joel Waterman with a yellow card brandished. Push and shove threatened to escalate before Australian goalkeeper Maty Ryan intervened off the bench.
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Then, ex-Melbourne Victory head coach Popovic intervened.
Popovic consulted Irankunda on the sidelines. Seconds later, he substituted the 19-year-old sensation.
It led to a warm embrace in a moment that demonstrated Popovic’s exceptional coaching and leadership. It also highlighted Irankunda’s growth.
“That’s something more for me and him that we shared,” Popovic said of their discussion.
“I’m just proud of his contribution. He’s a young man that has so much growth to come. Now in the last two games, he’s scored goals for Australia.
“He’s 19 years old and we have a striker (Mo Toure) that’s 21 starting here, away from home against Canada, so very proud of them.Â
“And that’s part of football. He doesn’t back down. He was coming off regardless of what happened there. “
We saw a similar moment in the Isuzu UTE A-League. Rewind back to Irankunda’s red card against Victory in November 2023.
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The wonderkid – playing for Adelaide United – saw red after a second yellow card in a fiery end to an Original Rivalry clash at AAMI Park. On that night, Popovic was coaching Victory as he tried to defuse Irankunda while leaving the field.
Both Popovic and Irankunda have come a long way since then. Both are impacting Aussie football.
