Brazil outgun Australia in high-scoring Brisbane rematch

Brazil outgun Australia in high-scoring Brisbane rematch

The Socceroos produced another spirited performance and briefly turned the match on its head after falling behind inside three minutes, but Brazil's quality eventually told as Bruno Guimaraes and Vinícius Junior struck in the second half.

Vanderson gave the visitors the perfect start when he cut inside and fired into the top corner after just 132 seconds, with Patrick Beach then forced into two early saves from Raphinha.

Australia gradually settled and began to threaten, with Jackson Irvine helping create openings for Nestory Irankunda and Tete Yengi.

Their pressure paid off in the 28th minute when Alessandro Circati converted from close range after a Connor Metcalfe corner survived a VAR review.

Five minutes later, the Socceroos completed the turnaround.

Circati laid the ball off to Metcalfe outside the box, and the midfielder produced a superb left-footed finish into the top corner to send the home crowd into celebration.

Brazil restored parity shortly before half-time, however, after Harry Souttar was penalised for a foul on Danilo Santos. Raphinha made no mistake from the spot.

Australia could have regained the lead before the interval when Irankunda was presented with an opportunity following a poor clearance, but he fired over.

The match became increasingly heated after the break, with several fouls adding to the tension before a confrontation between Souttar and Endrick spilled towards the Australian bench in the 64th minute. Both players were booked.

Brazil immediately made the breakthrough at the other end.

Endrick, who had replaced Raphinha, delivered a cutback for Guimaraes to finish from close range and restore the visitors' lead.

Vinícius then effectively settled the contest when he won a penalty after going down under a challenge from Irankunda before converting from the spot in the 80th minute.

Australia continued to push for a third goal, but late opportunities for Lucas Herrington and others went begging as Brazil closed out the win.

The result will frustrate Tony Popovic's side after another performance in which they showed attacking ambition and created opportunities against one of the world's leading teams.

With the Asian Cup approaching in January, however, the two-match series offered further evidence of the progress Australia have made under Popovic, despite ending with a defeat in Brisbane.

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