Brazil eventually saw off a spirited Australia side at Suncorp Stadium, closing out their trip to Aus in Brisbane. Having met just four days earlier in Townsville, the two sides delivered a back-and-forth match once again.
An early Brazil goal and a big response from Australia
Carlo Ancelotti’s side needed just three minutes to break the deadlock. Bontempo prodded the ball into Vanderson’s path, and the full-back took an immaculate touch before thundering a right-footed strike into the top corner. Brazil looked capable of running away with it, but Australia had other ideas.
In the 28th minute, Circati, the very man who won the corner, found himself unmarked at the back post after Metcalfe’s delivery. He flicked his right boot up behind him, sending the ball looping in and dipping under the crossbar. The referee initially penalised a foul on Otavio, but VAR intervened, and the goal stood.
Just five minutes later, the Socceroos struck again. Brazil failed to close down as Australia moved the ball quickly, and Metcalfe, receiving just outside the area, opened up his body and fired a sensational left-footed rocket into the top-right corner.
Raphinha responded just before the break
Danilo used his close control inside the area to draw in Souttar, who appeared to swipe his back foot from underneath him. Following a trip to the monitor, the referee awarded a penalty, and captain Raphinha coolly buried the shot past the diving Beach to make it 2-2.
Brazil ran away in the second half
As the second half wore on, Brazil’s class began to show. In the 69th minute, Vinicius picked out Real Madrid team-mate Endrick, and the substitute showed real composure to slide the ball across the face of goal. Guimaraes threw himself at the delivery to steer it in to give Brazil a 3-2 lead.
In the 80th minute. Vinicius, who drove into the area and tumbled between two defenders, won a penalty himself. He squeezed his right-footed effort into the bottom-left corner to secure Brazil’s victory.
What’s next?
Brazil are back in action on Saturday as they face India in Kolkata.
