Nestory Irankunda has put on a show as the Socceroos claimed a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their final warm-up game ahead of the World Cup.

The Swiss opened the scoring in the 14th minute before debutant Tete Yengi equalised in the 56th at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on Saturday (Sunday AEST) in front of 6107 fans.

Irankunda, 20, started as a left-sided inverted winger and was by far Australia’s most dangerous and explosive player before he was substituted in the 71st minute.

Fellow debutant Cristian Volpato, newly defected from Italy, headlined a youthful starting line-up, which with an average age of 24.6 was the youngest team of the Tony Popovic era.

Like last week’s 1-0 loss to Mexico, Switzerland were on top early, with Australia only really settling after the drinks break in the 22nd minute.

That slow start will remain an area of concern ahead of next Saturday’s game against Turkey in Vancouver.

Australia also improved when Popovic turned to his bench at halftime, looking far more clinical with the introduction of Connor Metcalfe and Jacob Italiano.

For Australia’s goal, centre-back Cameron Burgess released Metcalfe, who burst forward then squared the ball for a sliding Yengi to score.

Volpato started as a right-sided attacker and grew into the first half as he spent more time in inside pockets, before being substituted at halftime.

Yengi also started on debut among seven changes, with Harry Souttar captaining Australia for the first time and the impressive Patrick Beach in goal.

In the fourth minute, Irankunda forced a corner then whipped in a corner that Yengi glanced wide.

Then Switzerland started to turn the screws, with Beach denying Ndoye in the eighth and 12th minutes.

But two minutes later, Granit Xhaka sliced through the Australian defensive lines with a wonderful ball and this time Ndoye had the quality to trap the ball then fire past Beach.

The Socceroos started to find a foothold in the game after the drinks break.

Australia came desperately close to scoring in the 45th minute when Volpato curled in a wicked free kick to the back post and Souttar rose highest but turned his header over the bar.

At halftime, Popovic brought on Metcalfe for Volpato among several changes.

Four minutes into the second half, Irankunda won the ball with a powerful challenge, burst forward and let rip with a venomous strike that Kobel tipped onto the bar.

The Socceroos kept growing into the game and 10 minutes later, the well-deserved goal to Yengi arrived in a hurry.

Popovic emptied his bench and the Socceroos held on through a Swiss flurry, including Cedric Itten turning a late header over the bar.