Soccer-Resurgent Brazil beat Australia 4-2 as muscle issue sidelines Raphinha


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - International Friendly - Australia v Brazil - Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, Australia - September 25, 2026 Brazil's Rayan celebrates scoring their first goal JONO SEARLE/AAP Image via REUTERS/File Photo

Sept 29 (Reuters) - A second-half surge ⁠secured a 4-2 win for Brazil in their second friendly with ⁠Australia on Tuesday, but Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti was left worried ‌as his captain Raphinha had to be substituted at halftime with muscle discomfort.

The Brazilian federation (CBF) said Barcelona attackerRaphinha, who scored from the spot before the break to equalise at 2-2, felt discomfort ​in his right leg, where he has suffered multiple ⁠hamstring and thigh injuries.

Raphinha's departure, ⁠however, did not hinder Brazil's comeback after a shaky first half, as Bruno ⁠Guimaraes ‌struck in the 69th minuteand Vinicius Jr converted a late penalty to secure their only win in the two-match friendly tour of Australia.

Australia ⁠had fielded the same starting 11 thathad Brazil on the ​ropes in Friday's ‌1-1 draw, but Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti made seven changes, switching out ⁠the entire defence.

The ​pitchside fireworks before kickoff in Brisbane were no match for Brazil's immediate barrage, asVanderson scored his first international goal just three minutes in.

But Australia hitback from Connor Metcalfe's ⁠corner before the half-hour mark, as Alessandro Circati ​tapped home at the far post.

Five minutes later, Metcalfe let fly a left-footer from outside the box that soared past the diving keeper, putting Australia ahead.

Brazil equalised just ⁠before the break from Raphinha's penalty after Danilo was brought down by Harry Souttar.

Raphinha's replacementEndrick immediately drew repeated harsh challenges from Souttar, nearly kicking off a brawl after Endrick pushed Souttar and went down grabbing his neck in the ​65th minute.

Endrick had his revenge four minutes later, as ⁠he sprinted down the left and flashed a cross to Guimaraes, who struck the ​ball in.Vinicius scored Brazil's fourth in the 80th ‌minutewith another penalty after Nestory Irankunda tripped ​him in the box.

Brazil travel to Kolkata for a friendly with India on Saturday.

(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Purulia, IndiaEditing by Christian Radnedge)

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