In Queensland, Brazil needed the final breath of the evening to avoid an embarrassment against an Australia side that had spent most of the match chasing a landmark win. Rayan’s header from Raphinha’s corner in the 95th minute rescued a 1-1 draw for Carlo Ancelotti’s reshaped Seleção, denying the home team a result that had looked within reach after Nestory Irankunda’s fine free-kick.
A new Brazil still searching for certainty
Ancelotti’s Brazil arrived with familiar questions still hanging over them after their World Cup last-16 defeat to Norway, a 2-1 loss that had exposed uncertainty around a changing generation. Casemiro and Neymar were absent from this latest side, and only four starters from that World Cup elimination remained in the initial line-up.
- Marquinhos, Douglas Santos, Bruno Guimarães and Vinícius Júnior were the four players retained from the Norway defeat.
- Vinícius operated on the left of a high-class attacking trio alongside Estêvão and Raphinha.
- Raphinha, wearing the responsibility associated with Neymar’s No. 10, played behind centre-forward Endrick.
Brazil gradually found their attacking rhythm after an uncomfortable opening, with Raphinha and Estêvão providing the sharpest moments. Raphinha drove a left-footed effort from inside the area which Herrington blocked at the last possible moment, while Estêvão had a goal ruled out in stoppage time of the first half after a foul on Harry Souttar.
Australia make Queensland their stage
Australia began with greater authority and used the energy of the home crowd to put Brazil under pressure. The focus before kick-off had fallen on Irankunda, the quick forward who joined Portugal’s Sporting CP this summer, and he supplied the first serious threat of the night.
Cutting in from a wide position, Irankunda worked room for a shot that Corinthians goalkeeper Hugo Souza could only push away for a corner. Australia took eight corners in a first half largely controlled by the hosts, before Brazil’s improvement late in the period brought more balance to the contest.
Irankunda strikes, Rayan answers at the last
Brazil carried their stronger spell beyond the interval and soon pressed around Australia’s penalty area. Beach was relieved to watch a low, angled Raphinha shot drift beyond his left post, and Estêvão created another opening shortly after the hour.
Yet it was Australia who took the lead in the 68th minute. Irankunda delivered a free-kick with real quality, giving Brazil no answer as the ball found the net and Queensland began to believe in a historic victory.
- Brazil increased the pressure after falling behind but could not initially find a way through.
- Raphinha took responsibility for the final set piece, sending a corner into the Australian area in the 95th minute.
- Rayan met it with a downward header, helped by Beach’s unsuccessful intervention, to make the score 1-1 in the match’s final action.
The late equaliser spared Brazil defeat, but it did little to settle the concerns around a team still adapting to life beyond some of its most recognisable recent figures. Australia, meanwhile, left the field having come within seconds of one of their most memorable nights against the five-time world champions.
