09/29/26 08:40:00
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09/29 08:36 CDT Vinicius Jnior sparks Brazil's 4-2 win over Australia after
sideline scuffle
Vinicius Jnior sparks Brazil's 4-2 win over Australia after sideline scuffle
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) --- Vincius Jnior played a role in the goal that put
Brazil ahead and then scored to seal a 4-2 win over Australia in an
international friendly Tuesday that gave Carlo Ancelotti's squad its first
victory since a disappointing World Cup exit.
The game was tied 2-2 midway through the second half when tension spilled over
the sideline at Suncorp Stadium in a tussle between Australia captain Harry
Souttar and Real Madrid forward Endrick that involved pushing and shoving in
front of Australia's bench.
Players from both teams joined the melee and Endrick ended up on the ground
with one of Australia's support staff standing, off balance, over him. Calm was
restored quickly but the episode seemed to spark Brazil into action.
Moments later, after an attacking movement starting near halfway, Vincius took
the ball wide on the left before passing neatly inside to Madrid teammate
Endrick, who centered for Bruno Guimaraes to finish off from close range in the
69th minute.
His penalty in the 80th, after a stuttering approach to the ball, increased
Brazil's cushion to two goals.
The Brazilians started a three-game tour last week, needing a late equalizer
for a 1-1 draw with Australia in Townsville, northern Queensland state.
Ancelotti's squad will next travel to Kolkata for its first ever match against
India on Saturday.
"Great, entertaining, open game," Ancelotti said in a post-match news
conference. "Australia tried to attack, we tried to attack. From our side, a
good game.
"They reacted really well ... put a lot of pressure on us, high intensity and
in some moments we had difficulty."
Guimaraes said in a post-match TV interview that the difference in the two
games against Australia was a better pitch surface in Brisbane and a different
approach.
"Today we tried a new strategy," he said. "The last game we played a lot of
long balls. Today, we kept the ball a lot more."
Brazil dominated early with Vanderson opening the scoring in the third minute
for his first international goal and then forcing Australia goalkeeper Patrick
Beach to make two quick saves.
The Socceroos rallied with goals to Alessandro Circati from a corner in the
28th and a long-range strike from Connor Metcalfe in the 33rd and were on the
brink of taking a lead into halftime until Danilo went down in the area under a
challenge from Souttar, earning a penalty for Brazil.
Raphina equalized from the spot to make it 2-2, and was replaced at the start
of the second half by Endrick. Nestory Irankunda got into good scoring
positions for Australia but wasn't able to convert.
Ancelotti has started his overhaul of Brazil's national team with the squad for
this tour, selecting only a few of the players he took to the World Cup three
months ago and was eliminated in the round of 16 to Norway. He has included
several talented young players who will be eligible for the 2028 Los Angeles
Olympics.
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