Brazil have defeated the CommBank Socceroos 4-2 in front of a record 52,423 crowd at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Goals for Alessandro Circati and Connor Metcalfe gave Australia the lead in the first half but the quality of Brazil showed as the game wore on, their superstars finding a way to overcome the deficit and secure the win.
Head Coach Tony Popovic named an unchanged starting eleven from the one that drew 1-1 with the same opposition on Friday. Harry Souttar wore the captain’s armband once again while his centre-back partner Lucas Herrington started in his hometown of Brisbane.
Brazil were always going to come out of the blocks hard, and so it proved. A Seleção showed off their passing football with a tidy move around the penalty area. The ball found Vanderson. His first touch was sublime, his second even better – a wonderfully controlled shot past a diving Beach and into the back of the net for the first goal.
The visitors had another chance only moments later. Raphinha’s initial shot was saved, before the rebound found the Brazilian striker again. Beach stood tall to make an impressive double save and keep the score at one.
Australia showed plenty of promise in transition. Their first chance of the game came in the 10th minute, when the ball found Tete Yengi in the penalty area, but he was unable to find purchase for a clean strike.
It was from a set piece, where they were so promising without success on Friday, that they found the equaliser. An in-swinging corner found a mass of bodies, and then Alessandro Circati at the back post. Circati manoeuvred his body expertly to connect with the ball and find the back of the net. The goal was originally flagged offside, but awarded after video review.
The Socceroos took the lead in the 33rd minute. Circati was involved again, playing the ball to Connor Metcalfe just outside the penalty area. Metcalfe didn’t hesitate – he unleashed a strike on his left foot which beat the goalkeeper and rippled the back of the net. It was just reward for brave football after conceding early.
Brazil got things back level, however, before the break. Harry Souttar fouled Danilo inside the penalty area. Raphinha was the player who took responsibility from the penalty spot and made no mistake, burying his shot beyond a diving Reach.
Irankunda had a chance to give Australia the lead again after a Brazilian error playing out from the back, but he blazed over.
The teams continued to battle it out on level footing in the second half. Patrick Beach was forced into a fantastic save from a corner, tipping Gabriel’s effort over the crossbar. For Australia’s part, Jackson Irvine was lively, as was Metcalfe.
Popovic turned to the bench for the first time in the 69th minute. Riley McGree continued his return to the side, replacing the goalscorer Metcalfe.
Brazil found the lead soon after. Real Madrid’s Endrick found the ball inside the penalty area. Instead of shooting, he played a ball across the face of goal to Bruno Guimarães, who steered it into the back of the net.
The attacking threats didn’t let up, and Australia conceded another penalty. Vinicius was fouled after driving into the penalty area and this time it was he who converted the penalty that he won. The goal made it four for Brazil, and extended the margin to two goals.
A triple change for Australia followed that goal. Marcus Younis made his second national team appearance, replacing Irankunda, while Aiden O’Neill came into midfield for Paul Okon-Engstler and Jason Geria replaced Jacob Italiano at the back.
Nishan Velupillay and Patrick Yazbek replaced Tete Yengi and Jackson Irvine not long after.
Australia never gave up. Yengi came close in the 87th minute, and the team continued to stream forward, with Younis getting a number of positive touches as well.
However, in the end, it was World No.6 Brazil who left Brisbane with the victory.
Match Summary
Australia: 2 (Circati 30’, Metcalfe 34’)
Brazil: 4 (Vanderson 3’, Raphinha 45+1’ (pen), Guimarães 70’, Vinicius 80’ (pen))
Australia: 18. Patrick Beach, 3. Alessandro Circati, 4. Jacob Italiano (6. Jason Geria 81’), 8. Connor Metcalfe (14. Riley McGree 69’), 16. Aziz Behich, 17. Nestory Irankunda (11. Marcus Younis 81’), 19. Harry Souttar, 22. Jackson Irvine (7. Patrick Yazbek 88’), 24. Paul Okon-Engstler (13. Aiden O’Neill 81’), 25. Lucas Herrington, 26. Tete Yengi (10. Nishan Velupillay 88’)
Unused substitutes: 1. Jacob Chapman (GK), 12. Paul Izzo (GK), 2. Miloš Degenek, 5. Kasey Bos, 15. Dylan Leonard, 21. Kealey Adamson, 23. Yaya Dukuly
Yellow Cards: 17. Nestory Irankunda 57’, 19. Harry Souttar 68’
Brazil: 12. Otávio, 2. Vanderson (13. Matheuzinho 61’), 3. Gabriel, 5. Danilo Santos (17. Brendo Bidon 87’), 7. Vinicius Júnior (22. Samuel Dias Lino 82’), 8. Bruno Guimarães (20. Martinelli 83’), 10. Raphinha (9. Endrick 46’), 16. Mauro Júnior (15. Arthur Dias 87’), 24. Jair Cunha (14. Vitor Reis 87’), 25. Gabriel Bontempo (21. Andrey Santos 61’), 26. Rayan (11. Estêvão 61’)
Unused substitutes: 1. Huga Souza (GK), 23. Pedro Morisco (GK), 4. Marquinhos, 6. Douglas Santos, 18. Douglas Luiz, 19. Pedro
Yellow Cards: 9. Endrick 68’
