Vinicius Júnior sparks Brazil’s 4-2 win over Australia after sideline scuffle

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Vinícius Júnior 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, Vinícius took the ball wide on the left before passing neatly inside to Madrid teammate Endrick, who centered for Bruno Guimarães 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.”

Guimarães 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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