Australia lost 4-2 to Brazil in a friendly at Lang Park on Tuesday, a result that extends their winless run to five matches. The Socceroos had led 2-1 at half-time before two second-half goals, including a late penalty, sealed the win for the visitors.
Brazil took the lead after just three minutes through Vanderson. Australia responded well, with Alessandro Circati heading in an equaliser from a corner after 28 minutes. Connor Metcalfe then put the home side ahead five minutes later with a left-footed strike from the edge of the box. The lead was short-lived, as Harry Souttar conceded a penalty just before the break which Raphinha converted.
Bruno Guimaraes, named man of the match, put Brazil ahead in the 69th minute. The result was sealed ten minutes from time when substitute Nestory Irankunda fouled Vinicius Junior, who scored the resulting penalty. Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach made several saves, including one from Gabriel Magalhaes, while Jackson Irvine had a penalty appeal turned down.
Head coach Tony Popovic will take encouragement from his team's performance against a side ranked second in the world. Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the improvement. "They played differently today," Ancelotti said. "Honestly, I have to say, they press really well with high intensity. They are really well organised, and they surprise us in this sense."
Popovic's side now has a record of three draws and two losses in their last five matches, a sequence fans can review in the team's detailed stats. The result leaves Australia second in their World Cup qualifying group with four points from three games, a position visible in the full standings. The focus now shifts to the Asian Cup in January, but the immediate task is a World Cup qualifier away to Qatar on November 13, a fixture confirmed on the official fixtures list.
Background and full detail: Flashscore.com
