Nestory Irankunda has risen to the occasion against the might of Brazil, setting Townsville alight with a magnificent free-kick in the Socceroos’ 1-1 draw with the five-time world champions.
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Dangerous from the opening whistle on Friday night after being selected in his preferred wing role rather than used as a centre-forward, 20-year-old Irankunda brought the Queensland Country Bank Stadium crowd to its feet in the 68th minute with one of the most memorable goals in Socceroos history.
The former A-League prodigy, who now plays his club football for Portuguese giants Sporting CP, unleashed a spectacular long-distance strike that cleared Brazil’s wall before dipping into the top corner of net.
Irankunda celebrated in style with his customary backflip before being quickly mobbed by his jubilant teammates.
It was only the second goal the Socceroos had ever scored against the Brazilians, and it was seemed like it was going to be enough to secure Australia’s only its second ever win over the Selacao.
The Socceroos defended for the lives in attempting to hold on to their lead, with centre-backs Harry Souttar, Lucas Herrington and Alessandro Circati all immense.
However, Australia’s hopes of an upset win were dashed in stoppage-time when substitute Rayan equalised with a powerful header ahead of Tuesday night’s return bout between the teams in Brisbane.
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Close call
The Brazilians thought they had taken the lead in the dying stages of the first-half when teenage forward Estevao, who plays his club football for English Premier League outfit Chelsea, fired a right-footed shot into the corner of the net after some clever work on the edge of Australia’s penalty area by fellow young gun Endrick.
However, the Socceroos were adamant that Souttar had been fouled in the build-up by Brazil’s Arsenal star Bruno Guimaraes.
VAR intervention was required to convince Japanese referee Ryo Tanimoto a foul had been committed, with the Australians breathing a sigh of relief when the match official awarded the hosts a free-kick after reviewing footage of the incident.
The chance came after a concerted period of pressure from the visitors, with star trio Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and Guimaraes all failing to make the most of chances to give their team the lead.
That period also included an opportunity for the Socceroos from a Connor Metcalfe corner that just evaded Souttar before landing at the back post where Circati couldn’t force the ball into the net.
Head clash
There was an early scare for the Socceroos when wing-back Jacob Italiano was involved in a nasty clash of heads with Brazilian defender Douglas Santos in the eighth minute.
Both players crashed to the turf, and it was Italiano who undoubtedly copped the brunt of the blow as he held grabbed his bleeding head in agony.
Play was delayed for a few minutes as doctors checked the welfare of both players.
While Santos seemed to emerge unscathed, there seemed doubts whether Italiano would continue.
The Austria-based former Perth Glory player had his head strapped and left the field.
However, he was able to return to the game soon after.
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