# McGree helps Socceroos put drama behind them and leave Qatar reeling

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/mcgree-helps-socceroos-put-drama-behind-them-and-leave-qatar-reeling/
- Published: 2026-11-13T17:42:04+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T18:22:09+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/nov/13/mcgree-helps-socceroos-put-drama-behind-them-and-leave-qatar-reeling
- Topics: Football, Sport

## Key points

- Australia beat Qatar 3-0.
- All three goals came from pressing mistakes.
- Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui faces mounting pressure.

## Summary

Australia beat Qatar 3-0 in Doha, putting aside a week of off-field debate to deliver a commanding performance. The result matters as Tony Popovic’s side showed how their high press can create goals and help them pursue a more dominant role in Asian football.

Riley McGree opened the scoring in the fifth minute, his first goal for Australia in more than four years; Tete Yengi and Nestory Irankunda added goals before half-time. Qatar did not manage a shot on target, while the result increased pressure on coach Julen Lopetegui ahead of a fixture against South Korea. Australia’s next match against Jordan had been moved to Doha amid continuing discussion over the game.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.