Nestory Irankunda honoured Everton fan favourite Tim Cahill as he made history in Australia’s 2-0 win over Turkey in their opening 2026 World Cup group game in Vancouver.
Tim Cahill's Legacy Honoured
Cahill, now 46, was one of the most popular players during David Moyes’ first spell as Blues boss, making 278 appearances and netting 68 goals, 56 of which were in the Premier League, placing him fourth on the club’s all-time scoring list in the competition behind Romelu Lukaku (68), Duncan Ferguson (60) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (57), even though he played mostly as an attacking midfielder rather than striker during his spell at Goodison Park between 2004-12.
Despite representing Western Samoa at youth level and being offered a place to play at the 2002 World Cup by Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, Sydney-born Cahill pledged his allegiance to Australia and scored his nation’s first two World Cup goals when they came from behind to defeat Japan 3-1 in Kaiserslautern on June 12, 2006. In total, Cahill, who struck 50 times in 108 matches for the Socceroos, played in four consecutive World Cup tournaments before bowing out in 2018, with a further goal – and sending off – in 2010 and a spectacular volleyed effort against the Netherlands in 2014.
Irankunda Breaks Record
When firing the current Australia side ahead against Turkey 27 minutes into the contest at BC Place, Watford forward Irankunda, who at 20 years and 125 days, smashed the record of Brett Holman, who scored against Ghana in 2010 when he was aged 26 and 84 days, to become their youngest ever World Cup goalscorer, paid tribute to Cahill be replicating his trademark boxing the corner flag celebration routine. Tony Popovic’s side then sealed a famous victory on 75 minutes with a strike from Connor Metcalfe.
Scotland's Triumph
Meanwhile, there was also delight for an Everton pair in the other overnight World Cup fixture as Scotland marked their return to the tournament after a 28-year absence with a 1-0 win over Haiti in Boston for what was their first victory at the finals since 1990s. Right-back Nathan Patterson, who made eight appearances for the Blues in 2025/26, came on as a 75th minute substitute for Aaron Hickey as Steve Clarke’s men held out for a clean sheet and potentially huge three points following a 28th minute deflected strike from Aston Villa’s John McGinn.
Alan Irvine, who has served Everton across four separate spells as a player and coach and is currently Moyes’ assistant manager, is also part of the Scotland staff and celebrated with boss Steve Clarke following the final whistle. The Tartan Army have never seen their side progress beyond the first round of the competition but with Brazil earlier drawing 1-1 with Morocco at the MetLife Stadium, the Scots have become early leaders of Group C.
