Qatar 0-3 Australia: Lopetegui's side punished in first-half rout

Australia cruised to a 3-0 victory over Qatar after a dominant first-half display at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha.

Riley McGree, Tete Yengi and Nestory Irankunda were on the scoresheet in the friendly, with Julen Lopetegui's side punished for their naivety at the back.

Australia were ahead after just five minutes, with McGree intercepting a poor pass from Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada and scoring into an unguarded net.

McGree then went close with a volley from the edge of the box, before the Socceroos' high press paid off again 32 minutes in as Connor Metcalfe slid in Yengi after a scuffed clearance from Abunada, and the striker slotted into the far corner.

Irankunda then made it 3-0 in the 40th minute, arrowing a shot into the bottom-left corner after Metcalfe won the ball with a tackle on the edge of the Qatar box.

There was little trouble for either goalkeeper in the second half, with both sides combining for just 0.16 expected goals (xG) after the break, though Yusuf Abdurisag did see a consolation ruled out in the closing stages for offside.

Australia back to winning ways

The Socceroos were winless in the previous five games, a run which stretched back to the World Cup, but Tony Popovic's side were at their best in the opening 45 minutes in Doha.

Of their 2.59 xG, 2.5 came before the break, with Australia scoring three goals in the first half of an away match for the first time since June 2021, when they led 3-0 against Chinese Taipei in a World Cup Qualifier.

Irankunda was a constant threat as he attempted the most dribbles (eight) and recorded the joint-most touches in the opposition box (seven), while his two interceptions were also the most of any Australian.

Each of Irankunda's last two Australia goals have been from outside the box, with his first six all scored from inside the area, and he has been involved in three goals across his last four away appearances for club and country (one goal, two assists).

Metcalfe set up two goals for Australia, with this just the second time he has had two assists in a match, along with a 7-0 win vs Bangladesh in November 2023.

Qatar, meanwhile, were taught a harsh lesson. They accumulated just 0.06 xG from three shots, all of which were off target and came after the break.