#112 Nestory Irankunda’s stunning freekick almost seals famous Socceroos win over Brazil

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The Socceroos produced one of their most encouraging performances in recent memory, pushing Brazil all the way in Townsville before conceding a heartbreaking late equaliser to finish 1-1.

Nestory Irankunda’s world-class free kick was the headline moment, but this was a performance built on contributions across the pitch. From a more progressive approach in possession to a growing back three and an exciting group of attacking players, the Socceroos showed clear signs of evolution under Tony Popovic.

The big question now: can Australia back it up against Brazil again in Brisbane on Tuesday?

Matildas Squad Announced

Joe Montemurro has named the Matildas squad for the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Haiti, with three uncapped players included.

Uncapped players

Courtney Newbon
Tori Tumeth
Hana Lowry

Alanna Kennedy and Charlize Rule are unavailable through injury, while Kyra Cooney-Cross continues her return to football and will not join the squad.

The squad also includes established Matildas such as Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley and Emily van Egmond.

Australians Abroad: Club Football Highlights

England

Kyra Cooney-Cross starred for Arsenal, winning Player of the Match after creating the most chances and winning the most duels in a 1-0 Champions League win over HB Køge.
Mary Fowler came off the bench for Manchester City in their 2-2 comeback draw with Bayern Munich.
Four Australians featured as Charlton hosted Manchester City, with City winning 1-0. Fowler played the full match, while Emily van Egmond was forced off with a head injury.
Kaitlyn Torpey scored and assisted in Newcastle's 4-1 win over Sheffield United.
Ellie Carpenter created the most chances and helped Chelsea keep a clean sheet in their 1-0 Champions League win over Austria Vienna.

EFL Trophy / League One

Caleb Watts scored twice for Plymouth Argyle in their 5-1 win over Crystal Palace U21s in the EFL Trophy.
Jaylan Pearman played 90 minutes for Swindon in a 2-0 loss to Newport.
Hayden Matthews played the full match in Bradford's 2-1 win over Newcastle United U21s.
Clayton Taylor played 90 minutes for Barnsley in their 4-3 loss to Leeds U21s, while new signing Rylan Brownlie provided an assist off the bench.
Raphael Borges Rodrigues played the full match as Burton defeated Plymouth 1-0.

League Two

Peter Cklamovski has Salford City unbeaten in five and up to seventh after a 4-1 win over Oldham.
Jaeden Majekodunmi played the full match as Swindon drew 1-1 with Accrington.

Europe

Max Balard played 90 minutes in NAC Breda's 4-2 win over Eindhoven.
Josh Nisbet played 89 minutes in Roda JC's 2-0 win over RKC Waalwijk.
Gianni Stensness scored as Viking won 3-0 and moved top of the Norwegian league.
Jed Drew came off the bench to score and assist in Hartberg's 3-3 comeback draw.
Ella Tonkin played the full match in Torreense's 2-1 Women's Europa Cup victory.
Aivi Luik continues to feature strongly in Sweden, playing 72 minutes in a 6-0 win over Norrköping.
Daniela Galic opened the scoring in Vittsjö's 3-1 win over Kristianstad.

USA

Sam Kerr scored and assisted in Gotham's 3-1 win over Chicago.
Mackenzie Arnold conceded a late equaliser as Washington drew 1-1.
Archie Goodwin started for Charlotte in their 1-0 loss to Chicago.
Luka Jovanovic came off the bench for 13 minutes in San Jose's 3-1 win over Portland.
Kye Rowles and DC United drew 3-3 with Vancouver to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Transfer News

Akol Akon has signed for Colorado Rapids in a club-record deal and will be loaned back to Sydney FC for the season.

Junior Matildas Make History

Michael Cooper has named the 21-player CommBank Junior Matildas squad for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026, where Australia will compete at the tournament for the first time.

Group F fixtures

Australia vs Chile — 20 October

Spain vs Australia — 23 October

Mexico vs Australia — 26 October

Joeys

The 2010-born Joeys opened their U16 CFA Invitational campaign in China with a 4-2 win over Vietnam.

Zach Harrison scored twice, with Noah Hooper also finding the net.

Australia Cup Final

The Australia Cup final is building into one of the biggest games on the domestic football calendar.

There's plenty at stake:

Asian Champions League Two implications
The battle for Melbourne
A-League versus the National Premier Leagues
The push for greater recognition of domestic football
One club chasing another major piece of silverware
The chance for one side to return to the top of the Australian football pyramid
The opportunity for the other to lift the Australia Cup for a third time

With the final sold out, it's about much more than just the trophy.

Team of the Week

GK: Patrick Beach

DEF: Kaitlyn Torpey, Lucas Herrington, Alessandro Circati, Ellie Carpenter

MID: Paul Okon-Engstler, Kyra Cooney-Cross

ATT: Nestory Irankunda, Jed Drew, Caleb Watts, Sam Kerr

Coach: Peter Cklamovski

Moppa's Super Sub: Daniela Galic

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