TOWNSVILLE, Australia — The Socceroos played their first match since the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday, and for long stretches at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, it looked as though Australia might produce one of the most memorable results in the program's history, before Brazil salvaged a stoppage-time equalizer to leave the international friendly level at 1-1.

Nestory Irankunda's stunning free kick in the 68th minute had Australian supporters dreaming of a famous victory over one of world football's most storied national teams, only for Brazilian substitute Rayan to head home a last-minute equalizer that ensured the spoils were shared between the two sides. The result marked Australia's return to competitive international action following the conclusion of the World Cup earlier this year, giving fans their first look at the Socceroos since the tournament wrapped.

Irankunda's goal itself has drawn widespread praise since the final whistle, with the strike, curled from roughly 20 yards over the defensive wall and into the top corner past Brazilian goalkeeper Hugo Souza, standing as just the second goal Australia has ever scored against Brazil across the two nations' history of matches. That rarity underscored both the difficulty of the achievement and the scale of what Australia........

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