Brazil beat Australia 4-2 in fiery Brisbane rematch

Brazil responded to their 1-1 draw with Australia four days earlier by claiming a 4-2 victory in a heated rematch at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday.

The Socceroos recovered from conceding after only 132 seconds and briefly moved in front, but Brazil’s quality eventually proved decisive. Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Junior scored after the interval to secure the win.

Vanderson opened the scoring in spectacular fashion, cutting inside before sending a shot into the top corner. Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach was then called into action twice to deny Raphinha as Brazil threatened to extend their advantage.

Australia gradually found their rhythm and began creating chances of their own, with Jackson Irvine involved in moves that opened opportunities for Nestory Irankunda and Tete Yengi.

Their pressure produced an equaliser in the 28th minute. Connor Metcalfe’s corner reached Alessandro Circati, who finished from close range after the set-piece survived a VAR review.

The home side completed the turnaround five minutes later. Circati laid the ball back to Metcalfe outside the penalty area and the midfielder found the top corner with an excellent left-footed strike, sending the Brisbane crowd into celebration.

Brazil restored parity shortly before half-time after Harry Souttar was penalised for fouling Danilo Santos. Raphinha converted the resulting penalty.

Australia had a chance to retake the lead before the break when Irankunda was presented with the ball following a misplaced clearance, but he lifted his effort over the crossbar.

The contest became more physical in the second half, with a series of fouls increasing the tension. In the 64th minute, a confrontation between Souttar and Endrick moved towards the Australian bench. Both players were shown yellow cards.

Brazil responded immediately. Endrick, who had come on for Raphinha, supplied a cutback for Bruno Guimaraes, who finished from close range to put the visitors back in front.

Vinicius Junior then strengthened Brazil’s position in the 80th minute after winning a penalty when he went down under a challenge from Irankunda. He took responsibility from the spot and converted.

Australia continued to search for a third goal, but late chances for Lucas Herrington and his team-mates were not taken as Brazil saw out the victory.

The defeat will disappoint Tony Popovic’s side after another display in which they attacked with ambition and created opportunities against one of the world’s leading teams.

With the Asian Cup approaching in January, the two-match series nevertheless provided further evidence of Australia’s progress under Popovic, despite ending in defeat in Brisbane.