<h2>Nestory Irankunda Scores Again in the Championship – The Three Points:</h2> <p>- &nbsp; Nestory Irankunda scores spectacular free kick for Watford in 2-2 Championship draw with Southampton</p> <p>- &nbsp; 19-year-old Socceroos sensation nets second long-distance free-kick in consecutive matches</p> <p>- &nbsp; <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/soccer-news/aussies-in-the-championship-2025-26">Multiple Australian players perform across English Championship</a> ahead of Soccer Ashes series</p> <p>Nestory Irankunda celebrated his Socceroos recall with another stunning free-kick goal as Watford drew 2-2 with Southampton at Vicarage Road on the weekend.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Irankunda's Free-Kick Masterclass Continues</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The 19-year-old Australian sensation has made scoring spectacular free-kicks look effortless, delivering his second consecutive long-distance strike for Watford.</p> <p>The former Adelaide United prodigy, who joined the Hornets from Bayern Munich during the off-season, secured a crucial point for his Championship side with another perfectly executed set-piece.</p> <p>Irankunda's celebration included one of his trademark backflips, much to the delight of supporters who had specifically requested the acrobatic display.</p> <p>"People asked me for a backflip, and I promised them that I'd do a backflip," the young Australian explained after the match.</p> <p>The goal came just two days after Irankunda received his recall to the Socceroos squad for the upcoming Soccer Ashes series against New Zealand.</p> <p>Having been overlooked for three previous national team squads, his current form couldn't be timelier with Friday night's opening match in Canberra approaching.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Watford Boss Praises Irankunda's Quality</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Watford head coach Paulo Pezzolano was full of praise for his Australian midfielder's exceptional ability from dead-ball situations.</p> <p>"I can't remember seeing anyone score two free kicks like that in successive games — those were perfect and beautiful free kicks," Pezzolano told the club's official website.</p> <p>However, the coach was quick to emphasise that Irankunda must continue developing his overall game.</p> <p>"I am going to be on top of Nestory because he has to keep on growing and developing. He has to understand that he needs to keep on working. There is so much more that he can achieve."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Players Excel Across English Championship</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The weekend saw several other Socceroos squad members impress across England's second tier. Adrian Segecic, who also received a national team recall, helped Portsmouth secure a 1-0 victory over Preston North End.</p> <p>Fellow Socceroos defender Hayden Matthews was an unused substitute for Pompey, while under-23 international Thomas Waddingham came off the bench.</p> <p>Sam Silvera, another player earning a Socceroos recall, started for Championship leaders Middlesbrough in their 1-0 win over Sheffield United.</p> <p>The positive results continued with Cameron Burgess featuring for Swansea City in their impressive 2-0 away victory against Sheffield Wednesday.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>International Representation Across Europe</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Australian talent continues to make its mark beyond England's borders. Alessandro Circati started for Italian Serie A side Parma in their 1-1 home draw with Atalanta, while Socceroos captain Mat Ryan, despite missing selection for the New Zealand series, featured for Spanish club Levante in their 2-0 loss to Elche.</p> <p>With the Soccer Ashes series approaching, Australian football fans have plenty to be excited about as their players demonstrate exceptional form across Europe's top leagues.</p> <p>Irankunda's recent performances have positioned him as a key weapon for the upcoming matches against New Zealand.</p>