MELBOURNE (DA) — Australia broke open a level match with four goals after the 67th minute and beat Curaçao 5-1 on Tuesday in the FIFA Series 2026 Australia at AAMI Park.
Curaçao was still in it an hour into the match after Arjany Martha equalized in the 50th minute, canceling Awer Mabil’s 23rd-minute opener for Australia.
But the game turned quickly from there. Alessandro Circati restored Australia’s lead in the 67th minute, Jordan Bos made it 3-1 in the 71st, and Nestory Irankunda struck twice late, in the 80th and 84th, to seal the result.
Australia finished with 11 shots and six on target, compared with seven shots and four on target for Curaçao. Curaçao had 54% possession and completed 432 accurate passes, but Australia proved far more clinical in the decisive stages.
Coach Fred Rutten said the match again offered useful insight into his squad, even in a heavy defeat.
“I got a good view of the squad, I got a view of them against higher level opponent than in the past,” Rutten said.
Rutten also addressed the decision to use captain Leandro Bacuna in a deeper role.
“It was a tactical choice and in this game it was okay, the captain can read the game,” he said.
Despite the final score, Rutten said he saw progress in stretches of the performance.
“The game in Sydney the team did well for 45 minutes and now it’s 1 hour. There’s a good vibe in the team. However, we have to learn that if we are defending we are defending for your life,” Rutten said.
He added: “I’m happy with the first hour of the match but think that we can defend as a whole much better.”
Rutten said the focus now is on evaluating the group and planning what comes next.
“For me it’s important now to make a good analysis of the squad and think about the future,” he said. “I’m still not in panic-mode, why should I be in panic.”