In a thrilling display at AAMI Park, Socceroos forward Nestory Irankunda drew inspiration from pop icon Michael Jackson during his team’s resounding 5-1 victory over Curacao in their final FIFA Series match. Coming off the bench in the 67th minute to replace Deni Juric, Irankunda injected vital energy into the squad when Curacao had equalised just before halftime, levelling the score at 1-1 after Awer Mabil had initially put Australia ahead with his first goal for the national team since 2023.
Coach Tony Popovic had previously subbed in Jason Geria, Nishan Velupillay, and Paul Okon-Engstler, but it was the introduction of Irankunda alongside Jordan Bos, Riley McGree, Cameron Burgess, and others that turned the tide. Almost instantly, Irankunda played a crucial role, assisting McGree who set up Alessandro Circati to score his inaugural goal for the Socceroos. Shortly after, Bos found the net with a precise shot from outside the box, restoring Australia’s lead.
Irankunda, demonstrating his remarkable footwork, added to the scoreline in the 80th minute, cleverly slotting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs before celebrating in style—with flips and a Michael Jackson-inspired dance, complete with a sparkly glove thrown from the sidelines. Just moments later, he wrapped up the scoring with a near-post finish, concluding an impressive performance that showcased his potential as a standout player heading into the World Cup.
The match served as a memorable farewell for the Socceroos on home soil before their upcoming World Cup campaign. Post-match, Mabil revealed Irankunda’s passion for Michael Jackson, sharing that the young player had confidently predicted he would score a hat-trick. Commentator Robbie Thompson aptly noted Irankunda’s unstoppable form, underlining the excitement building for Australia heading into major competitions.
The Socceroos finished the FIFA Series atop the leaderboard, with Cameroon, China, and Curacao rounding out the standings, marking a strong conclusion to their domestic matches prior to the prestigious tournament. Overall, the night was not just a victory but a fitting send-off for the squad, filled with talent and promise for the future.