Multiple reports indicate Australia thrashed Curacao 5-1 in Melbourne on Tuesday night. Awer Mabil opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, but Curacao equalized in the 50th. Ajdin Hrustic limped off just before halftime.
In the 66th minute, coach Tony Popovic made substitutions, bringing on Jordy Bos, Riley McGree, Nestory Irankunda, and Cameron Burgess. Australia then scored four goals in 17 minutes, with Irankunda netting in the 80th minute and again four minutes later for a brace. Alessandro Circati scored his first international goal, and Jordy Bos also found the net.
The match at AAMI Park drew 16,764 fans. Popovic made five changes to the starting lineup compared to the previous match against Cameroon, and Kai Trewin was tested in the right wing-back role for the first time. Australia recently ended a three-game losing run with a 1-0 win over Cameroon, where Jordy Bos scored the winning goal in the 86th minute.
Ajdin Hrustic missed a penalty in the 70th minute of that match. Lucas Herrington made his starting debut, becoming the youngest defender to do so since Brett Woods in 1981. Connor Metcalfe limped off just past the hour mark.
Nestory Irankunda came off the bench at halftime and forced a sharp save from Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy in the 80th minute. Australia had 65% possession in the second half, and Awer Mabil was inserted at halftime. Australia will play Turkey to begin their World Cup campaign in June, according to major media.
They are in Group D, along with the United States and Paraguay. Australia are ranked 27th in the world, Turkey 22nd, the USA 16th, and Paraguay 40th.