Irankunda stars in Socceroos draw with Brazil

Carlo Ancelotti said the match was the beginning of a new generation for Brazil, but his team fell behind to Nestory Irankunda's stunning second-half free-kick.

However, Bournemouth forward Rayan made Brazil's late pressure count, with the two sides squaring off once again next week at Suncorp Stadium.

Connor Metcalfe helped Australia make a quick start, with his shot whistling over Hugo Souza's crossbar after Vinicius Junior was cheaply dispossessed by Jacob Italiano.

Irankunda then fired way wide before the Socceroos defence put their bodies on the line to keep out Vinicius and Raphinha, with the hosts going close to the opening goal just before the break, but a deep corner just evaded Alessandro Circati at the far post.

Brazil thought it had taken the lead on the stroke of half-time when a neat one-two between Endrick and Estevao saw the latter finish past Patrick Beach, but the goal was ruled out after a video assistant referee (VAR) review for a foul on Harry Souttar by Bruno Guimaraes in the build-up.

Ancelotti's side built on that momentum after the break, with the in-form Raphinha first seeing his shot smothered by Beach before he drilled narrowly wide of the right post.

Estevao then fired over after Vinicius's attempt deflected kindly to him, and Australia made the most of that reprieve in the 68th minute through Irankunda, who curled a sensational free-kick past Souza and into the top-left corner.

Brazil penned Australia back into its own penalty area in search for a late equaliser, and that persistence paid off in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage-time, with Rayan's thunderous header from a Raphinha corner going in off the crossbar.

Rayan said it was a fair result in the end, and is determined to make sure Brazil ends up on the winning side for game two.

"We don't step onto the field to lose; we step onto the field to win," Rayan said.

"But it wasn't possible. Although we have another chance against them and we'll go for the win.

"We know that we have to improve our defensive side. We also knew how to play, but we know that we have to improve."

While Brazil's superstars failed to hit the heights they have often shown in the past, Irankunda caught the eye of both coaches, with Ancelotti heaping high praise on him.

"We knew this, fantastic player," Ancelotti said.

"We watch a player with a lot of talent who is doing very well in Europe. We knew this kind of situation on set pieces, but his shot … fantastic."

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic was equally as complimentary of the 20-year-old, whom he believes has benefited hugely from his move to Sporting CP from Watford.

"Nestory knows what we think of him. He's 20 years old. He started three games at a [FIFA] World Cup, played half a game in the other, and he's moved to a bigger club," Popovic said.

"There's a clear difference in Nestory already. He's matured so quickly in a short space of time in terms of what's expected at Sporting.

"What he's learning is that the transfer is one part. Now you go to a new club. They don't give you minutes, they don't guarantee you minutes, they give you nothing. You have to earn everything.

"So, he delivered, played very well, and he'll only get better. He's a young kid. I expect by the next World Cup, hopefully, he gets a lot of minutes at a bigger club; there'll be a big improvement.

"But yeah, just a wonderful person. Nothing's changed for us in how we feel about him and how we are together."