Rayan header salvages 1-1 draw between Brazil and Australia

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Australia’s players celebrate after scoring a goal during the International friendly football match between Australia and Brazil at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on September 25, 2026. (Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —

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A last minute header from Brazilian substitute Rayan salvaged a 1-1 draw with Australia in a thrilling international friendly in Townsville on Friday.

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Rayan headed the ball home in the 95th minute to deny the hosts what would have been only their second win over the South American giants.

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It was a fitting result from two evenly-matched teams who gave everything in front of a sell-out crowd in the North Queensland city.

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A superb free kick from Australian youngster Nestory Irankunda had looked enough to give the Socceroos an upset win.

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With the two sides locked at 0-0 midway through the second half, Irankunda stepped up and drilled his free kick over the defensive wall into the net, leaving Brazil keeper Hugo Souza rooted to the spot.

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But Brazil came out and dominated against an increasingly defensive Australian outfit and were rewarded seconds before full-time.

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With both teams looking to rebuild after early exits from this year’s World Cup, it was the Socceroos who seized the early advantage.

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They dominated possession and territory, attacking with width and finding plenty of space on both sides.

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Midfielder Connor Metcalfe went close in just the third minute before an Irankunda bullet forced a good save from Souza.

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Brazil weathered the storm and began to get into the game, looking increasingly dangerous through in-form Barcelona striker Raphinha and Chelsea forward Estevao.

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Raphinha had a good chance with a header straight to Australian keeper Patrick Beach after 20 minutes before Estevao forced a great save from Beach five minutes later.

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The Brazil dominance appeared to have paid off in the 46th minute when Estevao scored, but a VAR review saw the goal ruled out due to an earlier foul on Australian captain Harry Soutar.

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The second half saw much of the same, with Brazil controlling the centre and the Socceroos finding space out wide.

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The visitors were just edging the match and it seemed only a matter of time before they scored, but they were shocked by Irankunda’s superb free kick.

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The Socceroos defended furiously and looked to have held out for the win, but a last minute corner saw Rayan’s header just too powerful for Beach to hold out.

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