Nestory Irankunda caps off Socceroos’ 5-1 rout of Curacao in final home match before World Cup

Scintillating cameos from Nestory Irankunda, Jordy Bos and Riley McGree have delivered a 5-1 win over Curacao to send the Socceroos off to the World Cup on a powerful winning note.

After Awer Mabil opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, Australia’s send-off looked set to fizzle into a night of disappointment when Curacao equalised in the 50th, while Ajdin Hrustic (hamstring) had limped off just before halftime.

But Tony Popovic turned to his big guns in Bos, McGree, Irankunda and Cameron Burgess in the 66th minute and it immediately paid off.

Two minutes later, Irankunda and McGree combined before the latter’s wicked ball was emphatically nodded home by Alessandro Circati to restore Australia’s lead.

McGree then worked the ball to Bos to dance through the area and unleash a superb right foot strike.

Bos then found Irankunda, who beat a defender then fired home at the near post in the 80th minute and backflipped in celebration.

Nishan Velupillay slipped through Irankunda to seal his double four minutes later in front of 16,764 fans at AAMI Park.

After the 1-0 win over Cameroon, Popovic swung five changes, starting Aziz Behich, Kye Rowles, Kai Trewin, Mabil and Hrustic - while sticking with 18-year-old central defender Lucas Herrington.

It marked Mabil’s first start in two years while Trewin was tested in the right wing-back role for the first time.

Skipper and keeper Maty Ryan was called into action twice in the 11th minute, denying Tahith Chong and Brandley Kuwas.

For the opening goal, Hrustic brilliantly pressed Curacao skipper Leandro Bacuna into a loose pass, with Trewin cutting the ball off, bursting forward then squaring the ball for Juric.

The striker’s flick-on took a deflection into the path of Mabil, who toe-poked home.

In first-half stoppage time, Mabil spurned a golden chance to snag a double when he met a terrific left-footed cross from Hrustic at the back post but volleyed into the woodwork.

Hrustic grabbed at his left hamstring after his cross and was immediately substituted.

Velupillay replaced Hrustic at halftime while Paul Okon-Engstler and Jason Geria replaced Connor Metcalfe and Herrington respectively.

But four minutes later, Arjany Martha was played onside by Geria as he latched onto a ball from Gervane Kastaneer, then burst away from Rowles and scored.

Aiden O’Neill and Mabil spurned good chances before Popovic turned to his bench - and the Socceroos turned the tide.

Once Circati headed Australia back in front, the Socceroos surged to a comprehensive victory.

Australia return to action against Mexico at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles on May 30.