Live: Volpato starts on Socceroos debut in World Cup warm-up against Switzerland

ABC News

SportsABC News·Jun 6, 2026·8 min read

Live: Volpato starts on Socceroos debut in World Cup warm-up against Switzerland

Australia's Socceroos take on Switzerland in San Diego in their final warm-up match before the FIFA World Cup gets underway.

It is set to be Cristian Volpato's first game for Tony Popovic's side since his much-publicised switch in allegiances away from Italy.

Follow the live blog below.

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Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 4:27am

Switzerland vs Socceroos — live scoreboard

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Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 6:11am

49': Irankunda hits the cross bar after turnover

By Chris De Silva

Nestory Irankunda almost sends one home from well outside the box!

He snaps up a turnover in midfield and sends a sizzling strike towards goal but it's tipped onto the crossbar from Gregor Kobel.

That is some save from the Swiss keeper, otherwise we were level at 1-1.

Feel like Irankunda has been by far the best attacking spark for the Socceroos. They've got to start him next week.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 6:10am

48': Yengi wins free kick with good hold-up play

By Chris De Silva

Tete Yengi does a good job of bringing down a long ball out of defence and wins Australia a free kick.

I can't remember seeing a single connection like that from defence to attack.

Good classic hold-up play from the Socceroos striker there as he holds off Manuel Akanji.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 6:08am

A host of changes as the second half gets underway

By Chris De Silva

Two changes for Switzerland in the second half.

Djibril Sow takes the place of first-half goalscorer Dan Ndoye, while Fabian Rieder is on for Michel Aebischer.

The Socceroos have made four changes at half-time.

Jacob Italiano comes on for Kai Trewin, Connor Metcalfe takes the place of Cristian Volpato, Jason Geria replaces Alessandro Circati and Cam Burgess comes on for Lucas Herrington.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:58am

Switzerland showing off their class in that first half

By Chris De Silva

Switzerland are a dangerous side and the Socceroos will need to be careful not to get complacent despite fielding a talented starting lineup including giving debuts to Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi who should be scoring a couple goals for us.

- Adam

Adam sent this through prior to kick-off, and it's fair to say that he's been on the mark.

The Swiss have looked extremely dangerous in this first half.

They look like a team that is completely on the same page, completely different to the Socceroos right now.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:57am

Worrying signs for the Socceroos

By Chris De Silva

What’s your early view Chris? Are the Aussies up to this class?

- Grant

That first half was worrying to say the least, given we're just six days out from the World Cup.

There's been little to no midfield control at all against what is a good Swiss team.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:56am

It's been hard work in the first half

By Tom Wildie

After talking about starting better following last week's poor opening against Mexico, the Socceroos were more energetic in the early stages of this first half.

Nestory Irankunda's importance to this team grows with every touch, and it's hard to see how he won't start for Tony Popovic next week against Turkiye.

But overall the half belonged to Switzerland. Dan Ndoye caused all sorts of headaches down the left, and scored the Swiss goal, as Australia spent large portions of the 45 minutes chasing shadows.

Harry Souttar had Australia's best chance late in the half, but headed over, as the Socceroos managed just two shots, both off-target.

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Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:50am

HT: Switzerland 1-0 Australia (Ndoye 14')

By Chris De Silva

The Socceroos go into the break trailing by a solitary goal, and they'll feel good to still be in this one.

It's been a poor first half from Tony Popovic's side, which isn't at full strength, but they've been dominated here.

Switzerland's press has been absolutely suffocating, and the Socceroos have been bossed in midfield so far.

Dan Ndoye with the first-half goal, and he's been the most dangerous forward on the ground so far with four shots on goal.

If not for Patrick Beach in goal, Ndoye might've had a brace in that first half.

Nestory Irankunda and Cristian Volpato have gradually gotten their teeth into the match, and combined beautifully late in that first half, resulting in a yellow card for Swiss captain Granit Xhaka, but it's been a case of few and far in between for the Socceroos.

They'll need to be a lot better to get back into this one in the second half. I wonder what changes Popovic will make.

Switzerland with 62 per cent in the first half and six shots on goal to Australia's two, which have both come from set pieces.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:49am

45+3': Beach denies Ndoye with a good save

By Chris De Silva

Dan Ndoye is in once again off the left side but Patrick Beach makes a great save to deny him!

Beach has been pretty good in goal in this first half. That would've been a nightmare finish to the half for the Socceroos.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:46am

44': Souttar goes close after Volpato's free kick

By Chris De Silva

A poor touch in midfield sets Nestory Irankunda away once again.

Irankunda sends the ball out to Tete Yengi who is fouled by Manuel Akanji.

Cristian Volpato stands over the dead ball on the right wing and sends a delicious ball in from the free kick towards Harry Souttar who goes close from the back post!

We'll have three minutes of added time to end the first half as the fourth official puts the board up shortly after Souttar's header.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:39am

38': Popovic asks Irankunda to press higher

By Chris De Silva

A bit of a lull in proceedings for the moment here as we approach half-time.

Tony Popovic wants to see more pressure from his forwards with the Swiss defenders on the ball.

He implores Nestory Irankunda to press a little higher than he has been doing.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:36am

The US equalise through an absolute WORLDIE

By Chris De Silva

An absolute ROCKET from Antonee Robinson has drawn the Americans level against Germany.

This is seriously some finish, wow.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:35am

34': Yengi yellow-carded for foul on Akanji

By Chris De Silva

Tete Yengi is the first Socceroo to be carded as he steps on the foot of Manuel Akanji.

Yengi trying to put some pressure on the Swiss centre back when he was in possession, but that challenge was a little bit too late.

Akanji down in pain initially, but he'll be right to continue.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:34am

32': Akanji goes into the book after Irankunda break

By Chris De Silva

Nestory Irankunda explodes out of defence on a counter-attack, but he's dragged down in midfield by Manuel Akanji to stop the break.

That is as professional a foul as you're likely to see.

The Socceroos have a chance to set up a good set piece here, but the delivery is very poor and the Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel is able to gobble it up easily.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:31am

29': Swiss press continues to suffocate Socceroos

By Chris De Silva

We're almost a half hour into this game and the Socceroos are struggling to string passes together.

Australia has just 25 per cent possession and has just two touches in the opposition box compared to Switzerland's 12.

Every time the Socceroos get any time on the ball in midfield, the Swiss are onto them.

Switzerland has registered 254 passes to the Socceroos' 101. Just 11 of the Socceroos' passes have come in their attacking half.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:24am

Hydration Break!

By Tom Wildie

The Swiss promised a hydration break at the 22 minute mark, and wow, did they nail that.

The hydration breaks were introduced by FIFA for this World Cup, but have been criticised as just an attempt to sell more advertising.

The breaks are three minutes, and broadcasters can cut to ads during them.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:24am

23': Socceroos continue to struggle with possession

By Chris De Silva

After yet another corner kick, the Socceroos have a chance to break out through Nestory Irankunda.

Irankunda gets the ball out to Kai Trewin with Cristian Volpato in through the middle, but Trewin gives it away and then fouls his opponent.

Volpato has been barely sighted so far, just not enough ball for Australia's attackers in this one.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:20am

18': Yengi concedes another corner as Ndoye threatens

By Chris De Silva

Tete Yengi this time with the near goal-line clearance!

The Swiss keep the pressure on after the corner and Ricardo Rodriguez sends another one in from the left wing.

Dan Ndoye combines brilliantly with a teammate on a one-two, but Yengi is able to chop it off.

The Socceroos defence has its hands full right now!

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:19am

17': Circati concedes corner after another flowing move

By Chris De Silva

Alessandro Circati gets a toe in after another lovely move sees Zeki Amdouni on goal.

A brilliant ball put in by the wingback Johan Manzambi that time.

Sun 7 Jun 2026 at 5:17am

16': Irankunda unable to capitalise on rare attack

By Chris De Silva

Nestory Irankunda makes a barnstorming run down the left side after a lovely through ball, but the attack peters out.

Other than the corner in the opening minutes, that was the first time the Socceroos have had possession inside Switzerland's box.

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SportsJun 6, 2026 · 1 min

Live: Volpato starts on Socceroos debut in World Cup warm-up against Switzerland

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