Socceroos make perfect start to World Cup qualifying campaign with dominant win over Bangaldesh

The Socceroos have taken the first step towards qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a thumping 7-0 win over Bangladesh at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Thursday night.

On the 18th anniversary of the historic night in Sydney when the Socceroos beat Uruguay on penalties to qualify for the 2006 tournament, the Aussies made light work of the world No.183 nation.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Harry Souttar scores a towering header.

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Harry Souttar opened the scoring inside four minutes with a towering header, while Mitch Duke netted a double and Brandon Borrello also got on the scoresheet in a blistering first half.

Jamie McLaren came on for the second half and will go home with the match ball after netting a hat-trick on a night when the hosts could have hit double figures.

The win sees the world No.27 Socceroos top Group I and they will be expected to have little problems progressing to the next round of qualifying with Palestine and Lebanon the other two teams in the group.

The Aussies dominated possession from the outset and made the perfect start when Souttar headed home after a brilliant free kick from Craig Goodwin.

The lead was doubled midway through the first half when Borrello tapped in from close range following a nice cross from Connor Metcalfe.

Borrello nearly added another minutes later but his header was straight at the keeper, while Keanu Baccus also spurned another great chance.

But it didn’t matter as Duke scored twice within three minutes.

The veteran striker used all his experience to edge out the defender and head home from Metcalfe’s looping cross.

He was then in the right place at the right time as Borrello’s cracking volley cannoned off the post straight to Duke, who cleverly deflected the ball into the corner.

Metcalfe had a couple of late chances to make it a five-star half, but the Socceroos had to settle for four goals.

The second half started identically to the first with the hosts scoring inside four minutes.

Substitute McLaren tapped in from close range – despite a hint of offside – after a cracking cross from Jordan Bos.

The Aussies continued to push for more goals, but had to wait until the 70th minute when McLaren scored another tap in after Massimo Luongo’s shot was well saved.

McLaren completed his hat-trick in the closing stages with yet another close-range finish to cap a near perfect night for the Socceroos.

Luongo should have added another from the penalty spot, but his spot kick was well saved by goalkeeper Mitul Marma, who was Bangladesh’s best player despite conceding seven goals.

The Socceroos next take on Palestine in Kuwait next Tuesday (Wednesday 1am AEDT).