Australia drew 1-1 with world no.19 Switzerland in their final pre-FIFA World Cup 2026 friendly match in San Diego.
Tete Yengi scored on his Socceroos debut to equalise after Switzerland had led in the first half through Dan Ndoye.
A spirited start to the second half was Australia’s avenue back into the contest after producing just two shots, neither on target, in the first half.
But it was two half-time substitutes that combined to set up Yengi’s goal, with Cameron Burgess’ long ball from deep in defence playing through Connor Metcalfe who sprung the Switzerland defence.
With Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel lured off his line, Metcalfe was able to square to an unmarked Yengi.
The 25-year-old former Newcastle Jet was able to slide in and finish into the unguarded net in the 56th minute.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 06: Tete Yengi of Australia celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s first goal during the international friendly match between Australia and Switzerland at Snapdragon Stadium on June 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
The equaliser accompanied a lift in intensity from the Socceroos in the second half, off the back of four substitutions.
Nestory Irankunda’s forcefully struck shot from outside the area in the 49th minute required a fingertip save from Kobel before crashing into the crossbar.
Reaction: Coach Tony Popovic and goalscorer Tete Yengi speak on Swiss friendly
Cristian Volapto had started the first half on his senior international debut, replaced at the break after engineering one of Australia’s few looks at goal in the first half.
It was Volpato’s free kick from the right flank in first-half stoppage time that isolated Harry Souttar one-on-one in the air against Silvan Widmer, but the defender’s header was off target.
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Australia’s only other half-chance came in the third minute when a Nestory Irankunda corner was glanced through the penalty area without a goal-bound touch.
Switzerland would use strategic fouls to prevent Australia counter-attacking, with Manuel Akanji and Granit Xhaka booked for fouls on Irankunda and Volpato respectively.
Switzerland led in the 14th minute when Xhaka found Dan Ndoye with a defence-splitting pass stuck from inside the defensive half. The Nottingham Forest striker made no mistake on a slight angle as he shot across Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 06: Dan Ndoye of Switzerland celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the international friendly match between Australia and Switzerland at Snapdragon Stadium on June 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Ndoye had forewarned the Socceroos as his attempt in the eighth minute was saved by Beach, while the striker would again appear in first-half stoppage time to draw another save.
Irankunda was booked in the 68th minute after a minor scuffle, prompted by kicking the ball, gently, into a prone Xhaka after he was felled by a Jacob Italiano foul.
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Australia would not create a noteworthy chance to win the match, while Switzerland’s best opportunity for a second goal was substitute Cedric Itten’s header over the bar in the 79th minute.
Australia’s preparations will now turn to their opening World Cup fixture in Group D against Turkiye on Sunday, June 14 at 2pm AEST.
Reaction: Coach Tony Popovic and goalscorer Tete Yengi speak on Swiss friendly
Switzerland 1 (Ndoye 14′) Australia 1 (Yengi 56′)
Australia: Patrick Beach, Alessandro Circati (Jason Geria 46′), Harry Souttar (Milos Degenek 81′), Lucas Herrington (Cameron Burgess 46′), Kai Trewin (Cameron Devlin 82′), Aiden O’Neill (Jacob Italiano 46′), Paul Okon-Engstler (Jackson Irvine 71′), Aziz Behich (Jordy Bos 71′), Cristian Volpato (Connor Metcalfe 46′), Nestory Irankunda (Mathew Leckie 71′), Tete Yengi (Mohamed Toure 71′)
Unused substitutes: Ajdin Hrustic, Paul Izzo, Awer Mabil, Mathew Ryan, Nishan Velupillay
