Australia and Brazil drew 1-1 in the opening match of the Queensland Football Series at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday night, after Nestory Irankunda’s second-half free-kick was cancelled out by a stoppage-time header from Rayan. The Socceroos led from the 68th minute until the fifth minute of added time, when Raphinha’s corner was headed in by the Brazil substitute. It was the first match for both teams since the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tony Popovic’s side were seconds from a first win over Brazil since Shaun Murphy’s 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup strike. Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil, still rebuilding after a last-16 World Cup exit, left Townsville with a point they barely deserved on the balance of play.
(More to follow)
