Brazil is set to embark on a new international journey as they prepare to face Australia in a friendly match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday. Manager Carlo Ancelotti faces mounting pressure to secure a favorable outcome.
Both teams have not competed since the 2026 World Cup, where Australia had a commendable performance despite not advancing past the knockout stages. The Socceroos reached the round of 32 after successfully moving through their group, but they were ultimately eliminated by Egypt on penalties after a 1-1 draw that went into extra time.
Tony Popovic’s squad made a solid start to the tournament by defeating Turkey 2-0. However, their recent form has been uneven, with Australia securing only two wins out of their last six matches, alongside three defeats.
Throughout those six games, the Socceroos have scored a mere four goals while conceding five, managing to keep two clean sheets. Their home record should boost confidence, as Australia remains unbeaten in their last seven matches on home turf, winning six of those encounters.
On the other hand, Brazil is eager to move past a lackluster World Cup showing. The Selecao suffered a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the round of 16, which halted a seven-match unbeaten streak, including six victories.
Ancelotti has publicly addressed some challenges in Brazilian football, particularly the issue of young players receiving inadequate playing time after joining European clubs at a young age.
Historically, Brazil has had the upper hand in this matchup, winning four of their last five encounters with Australia. However, concerns about their recent away form persist, as they have only won two of their last eight matches outside their home country, with four losses.
Team News
Australia is expected to take a defensive stance against Brazil, likely using a three-man backline to mitigate the visitors’ offensive capabilities.
Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, and Lucas Herrington are in contention to form the defensive trio. Jackson Irvine and Aiden O’Neill may operate in front of the defense to provide added security while assisting in the transition to attack.
Nestory Irankunda is anticipated to spearhead the attack, aiming to leverage speed and direct play in the final third.
For Brazil, Alisson Becker has not been included in the squad for the September international fixtures. Although the Liverpool keeper remains Ancelotti’s preferred choice, Hugo Souza could be entrusted with starting duties in goal.
Ancelotti may utilize this match to give Endrick a chance to gain experience at the international level. The young forward might feature on the right, complemented by Raphinha and Vinicius Junior to enhance the attack.
Bruno Guimaraes is likely to anchor the midfield, possibly alongside Manchester United’s Andrey Santos in a two-man pivot.
Possible Lineups
Australia possible starting lineup:
Beach; Circati, Souttar, Herrington; Bos, Irvine, O’Neill, Behich; Toure, Metcalfe; Irankunda
Brazil possible starting lineup:
Souza; Danilo, Marquinhos, Magalhaes, D Santos; Endrick, Guimaraes, A Santos, Lino; Raphinha, Vinicius Junior
How to Watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast | SuperSport |
| Live Stream | dstv stream |
| Kick-off Time | 11:00am (WAT) |
Match Prediction
Softfootball predicts Australia 1-2 Brazil.
