The CommBank Socceroos have drawn 1-1 with World No.5 Brazil after a spirited performance against the five-time World Champions in Townsville on Friday evening.
Nestory Irankunda scored a stunning free kick to give Australia the lead in the second half before Brazil broke Australia's hearts with a set piece equaliser from one of the final actions of the game.
The match was also a memorable one for Marcus Younis, who became CommBank Socceroo #662 when he was introduced in the second half.
Head Coach Tony Popovic named a starting eleven with three changes from the side that took on Egypt at the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Jacob Italiano returned to the side at right-back, Paul Okon-Engstler started in midfield, and Tete Yengi started up top after a strong start to the season in Japan.
The positive tone was set early. Connor Metcalfe had the first shot of the game after Italiano won the ball from Vinicius Junior high up the pitch. Minutes later, Nestory Irankunda had a dipping strike from outside the penalty area that forced a fantastic save out of Hugo Souza.
The intent, and pressure, didn’t let up as the Socceroos gave as good as they got. Irankunda was particularly electric. A golden chance arose when a cross from Metcalfe found Irankunda inside the penalty area in the 34th minute, but his shot was deflected away from goal.
The clearest opportunities came from corners, with eight in total in the first half. Alessandro Circati got a touch at the back post from a well-placed Irankunda corner, before the team came extremely close from a Metcalfe corner moments later.
Brazil, of course, created chances of their own. They played with a controlled possession style until they reached Australia’s third, when they would accelerate with a series of quick passes that were incredibly challenging to defend.
The visitors thought they found the breakthrough late in the first half. Estêvão played a neat wall pass with Endrick, and then found the back of the net after some lovely footwork. However, after review from the Video Assistant Referee, the goal was overturned for a foul on Harry Souttar in the build-up.
There were no changes from either side at half-time, and the second half continued in the same vein as the first, the Socceroos continuing to play front-foot football and Brazil continuing to threaten up the other end.
Estêvão had a golden chance in the 64th minute when the ball deflected into his path in front of goal. The teenage star was unable to steer his effort on goal.
Over the past few years, Australian football fans have learned that they cannot turn away from their screens when Nestory Irankunda is anywhere near a direct free kick. The 20-year-old proved why, yet again, against the biggest of opponents.
In the 68th minute, he stepped up and curled his free kick to the left of the Brazilian wall. The goalkeeper was powerless to stop it as it found its way into the back of the net. The goal gave Australia a well-earned lead in a game where both sides had gone toe-to-toe for the entire match.
Brazil desperately searched for an equaliser in the final twenty minutes of the match. The Socceroos defended stoutly, particularly Lucas Herrington, who made three blocks and four clearances to keep his side in the game.
Popovic turned to his bench during this period. Riley McGree replaced the goalscorer, Irankunda, in the 76th minute, before a triple change in the 84th – Jason Geria, Marcus Younis and Aiden O’Neill were introduced in place of Jacob Italiano, Connnor Metcalfe and Paul Okon-Engstler. Younis became CommBank Socceroo #662 when he entered the field of play.
In the 90th minute, Patrick Yazbek made his return to the side, replacing Jackson Irvine.
For all the Socceroos defensive efforts, however, in the end a second-ever victory over Brazil was not to be. A pinpoint set piece from Raphinha found the substitute Rayan, whose header hit the underside of the crossbar and snuck over the line with one of the final actions of the game.
It was a fantastic performance nonetheless from the side who took it to Brazil and will take plenty away heading into game two on Tuesday.
Match Summary
Australia: 1 (Irankunda 68')
Brazil: 1 (Rayan 90+4')
Australia: 18. Patrick Beach (GK), 3. Alessandro Circati, 4. Jacob Italiano (6. Jason Geria 84’), 8. Connor Metcalfe (11. Marcus Younis 84’), 16. Aziz Behich, 17. Nestory Irankunda (14. Riley McGree 76’), 19. Harry Souttar, 22. Jackson Irvine (7. Patrick Yazbek 90’), 24. Paul Okon-Engstler (13. Aiden O’Neill 84’), 25. Lucas Herrington, 26. Tete Yengi
Unused substitutes: 1. Jacob Chapman (GK), 12. Paul Izzo (GK), 2. Milos Degenek, 5. Kasey Bos, 10. Nishan Velupillay, 15. Dylan Leonard, 20. Eli Adams, 21. Kealey Adamson, 23. Yaya Dukuly
Brazil: 1. Hugo Souza (GK), 4. Marquinhos, 5. Danilo Santos, 6. Douglas Santos (16. Mauro Junior 76’), 7. Vinicius Junior (22. Samuel Dias Lino 65’), 8. Bruco Guimarães (18. Douglas Luiz 65’), 9. Endrick (19. Pedro 65’), 10. Raphinha, 11. Estêvão (26. Rayan 76’), 13. Matheuzinho, 14. Vitor Reis (24. Jair Cunha 76’)
Unused substitutes: 12. Otavio (GK), 23. Pedro Morisco (GK), 2. Vanderson, 3. Gabriel, 15. Arthur Dias, 17. Breno Bidon, 20. Gabriel Martinelli, 21. Andrey Santos, 25. Gabriel Bontempo
