The man of the moment Nestory Irankunda has his say with a content grin on his face while he speaks to Paramount+.

I mean, good goal, good goal. I’ve done it before but to do it again today, against Brazil, it’s amazing.

It’s what we’ve been working on, trying to play out from the back. You can see tonight that it worked. I still think there’s room for improvement but we’ve got time before the Asian Cup.

I practice that technique a lot. Sometimes the ball goes outside the training ground, sometimes I miss completely. For it to go in today, it felt good, super happy with it.

The goal was too good to use the [Michael Jackson] glove today. The glove won’t be coming out for a while, I have to switch it up and find something different to do.

It takes a bit to wipe the smile off Jackson Irvine’s face and the midfielder puts on a brave front as he speaks to Paramount+.

So much to be proud of the performance and pleased with all fantastic fans here. It’s our first time here for a lot of us here. It’s been a really brilliant few days. A great reception, brilliant turnout tonight, great atmosphere. So first of all, that makes it a brilliant spectacle.

But the performance was top class, playing one of the best in the world, some the best players the world. You know there’s going to be tough moments. We got an amazing goal. We created a lot of chances, getting into the final third, getting a lot of corners crosses, maybe didn’t create loads of clean-cut chances, but spent a lot of time in there and obviously just took a goal from a set piece as well. So much to be happy with.

We know the ability [Irankunda] has, especially from those kinds of positions. There was one in the first half he’s doing it at full speed, dribbling. He’s got an absolute rocket of a right foot, an amazing goal. Beautiful moment for him, it’s a shame it wasn’t the winner.

The Socceroos will of course be frustrated by giving up a last-gasp equaliser to Rayan that cancelled out Irankunda’s free kick rocket. It was very nearly one of the more remarkable friendlies for Australia but the leveller should not wipe away the promising, positive performance that took them to within a few seconds of victory. They will get a chance to make amends in Brisbane on Tuesday.

• Sign up to Football Desk Australia: our free weekly newsletter with Jonathan Wilson

94 min Brazil pepper the six-yard box and earn a last-gasp corner.

93 min O’Neill gives away a free kick in a dangerous area and Raphinha wants to take it quickly. The Socceroos are awake to the danger. One minute from a famous – friendly – victory!

92 min Brazil spread the play from right to left trying to find some gaps. Another cross into the box clears Souttar but Herrington is perfectly placed to send the ball over the bar.

90 min Brazil almost create something out of nothing as they win the ball back in their own half and send a long ball over the Socceroos defence. Lino and Rayan volley a pair of passes to each other trying to find a way through but the Socceroos have numbers back and close down the danger. Four minutes of added time to come.

88 min Brazil are looking flat and fresh out of ideas. But master coach Carlo Ancelotti is up and out of his seat trying to inject some urgency for one last surge to test the Socceroos defence.

86 min The Socceroos have a spring in their step while Brazil are looking more desperate. The defence is able to clear as Younis is full of vigour as he presses high up the pitch.

84 min We have seen just a few months ago that the Socceroos are comfortable sitting back and letting the opposition come at them. It is working again, so far, as they make a triple substitution as Marcus Younis earns a debut while Aiden O’Neill and Jason Geria also replace Metcalfe, Okon-Engstler and Italiano.

82 min Brazil resort to a couple crosses as they try to break down the Socceroos defence. The visitors win a corner but the height of the home side allows the defence to clear.

80 min The Socceroos are content to set up camp on the edge of the area as Brazil knock the ball from side to side. A dangerous game, perhaps, but the Brazilians don’t look like finding a way through.

78 min Brazil are still searching for their rhythm after both sides have made a string of substitutions over the past 10 minutes or so. Vini Junior, Endrick, Estêvão, Santos, Reis and Guimarães have all made way, with Pedro, Lino, Rayan, Mauro Junior and Cunha now trying to spark the comeback.

76 min Irankunda walks from the pitch to loud cheers and applause. Riley McGree returns to the pitch for the first time with the Socceroos since he missed the World Cup with an injury.

74 min Souttar wanders off the pitch ever so briefly as Brazil set off to chase the game. The had five shots to none this half before Irankunda put away a free kick. But the Brazilians have been unable to test Beach since then.

72 min Harry Souttar is down and clutching his head after a nasty collision. He looks as if he will be OK but takes his time to catch a breather and a quick drink.

71 min The Socceroos are up and full of running but Brazil look especially dangerous on the counter. Behich blocks a cross into the penalty area.

69 min Irankunda has scored the Socceroos second ever goal against Brazil in much the same manner as Shaun Murphy did when hitting an 84th-minute winner in a 1-0 victory in the 2001 Confederations Cup third-place play-off. From about 10 meters outside the edge of the penalty area, Irankunda’s shot was a beautiful mix of poise and power.

67 min Douglas Luiz takes barely 30 seconds to avenge the tackle from Okon-Engstler as he sends the Socceroos midfielder to the turf. Okon-Engstler won’t mind the free kick to the Socceroos in a dangerous area.

66 min The Socceroos need to regain some momentum and Okon-Engstler knocks Douglas Luiz over the sideline. The Juventus midfielder arrived a few minutes ago for Bruno Guimarães.

65 min Vini Jr has all the space in front of him as Brazil counter at pace. He cuts back on to his right boot and has his shot blocked. The ball drops for Estevão to shoot but under little pressure from the Socceroos defender he slices the left-footed half volley.

63 min Vini Jr drops a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Raphinha but he gets the angles wrong as the shot beats Beach but trickles narrowly wide of the far post.

61 min Behich streams into the penalty area and cuts back in search of Metcalfe. The Brazilian defender gets a foot in to block the pass. Behich has opened up their defence a few times without quite having the final ball to creating a shot on goal.

58 min Okon-Engstler has been more prominent in this half as he finds more time and space in the middle of the pitch. But a promising Socceroos move breaks down as he overhits a pass out to the right.

56 min Brazil line up for a corner off Souttar’s boot. But before they can take it VAR intervenes again to say Endrick actually got the last touch. A new move coming in this season and it must be said that VAR has been on the money so far tonight in Townsville.

55 min Endrick takes on Souttar and flies past the Socceroos skipper and into the penalty area. The Brazil attacker looks up for a cut back and Souttar throws out a long leg to block the ball whether a pass or shot.

54 min Metcalfe has been on point with his corners tonight. But this time he fails to get under one and it barely gets off the turf and is comfortably cleared by the Brazil defence.

52 min The Socceroos have troubles working their way through Brazil’s press. The ball is given away cheaply in the midfielder and Vini Junior is ready to pounce before Circati slides across to clear off the deck.

50 min Beach comes off his line and blocks Raphinha’s path just as the Brazil attacker pokes a shot on the break. The Socceroos keeper had a couple of nervy moments in the first half when he fumbled the ball but otherwise has been solid.

48 min Irankunda is away and has plenty of space in front of him but with two Brazil defenders for company. He can’t get control of the ball as it dribbles under his feet and Brazil counter. Estêvão collects outside the penalty area and fires in a shot. Carlo Ancelotti is not too pleased.

47 min The pitch is already looking worse for wear with Ross and Kate pointing out: “The playing surface is being torn up, what an embarrassment”.

I guess it’s the same for both sides, and all that. But yes, it does look like the pitch has come from another time.

46 min No half-time changes on either side.

The second half is about the get under way with Australia ready to kick-off …

The Socceroos got off to a flying start as they perhaps surprised Brazil by getting on the front foot early. Brazil worked their way into the game and had the better chances but the stats give away the evenness of the first half.

Brazil enjoyed 56-44% possession but the shots were more even at seven for the visitors with three on target, while Australia had six with one on the mark. The Socceroos have made no secret of how they want to play with 13 crosses as well as 8-1 for corners.

47 min Brazil barely blink an eye as they attack again from the restart but the Socceroos are banked up on the last line with the break now in sight.

44 min The Socceroos defence is on the ropes with Brazil’s midfield humming now and getting the ball to their star attackers at pace.

42 min The Socceroos should be in front but somehow have failed to score off a corner. The cross from Metcalfe sails over the defenders in the six-yard box but Souttar can’t quite get a head to it. The ball bounces just wide of the far post and Circati comes streaming forward without being able to knock it in.

40 min Brazil open up the Socceroos defence again with some sublime one-touch passing. Bruno Guimaraes shoots over the bar when the move deserved much more.

38 min Brazil earn a free kick in their own half then unleash an attack to move into their penalty area in a matter of seconds where Raphinha finds space on the right. The attacker winds up to shoot but not before Herrington gets across to block.

36 min Vini Junior charges forward and looks to pick out Endrick running alongside him. The Socceroos clear but only as far as Vini Junior whose limp shot is saved by Beach. The Brazil star is giving the punters plenty of value for money.

34 min Irankunda is the most unlikely target man but pops up in the penalty area to get on the end of a cross from the right. Rather than heading the ball he looks to scoop it around his body off the right boot but there is little force behind the shot.

33 min Behich charges into the penalty area and stops briefly before crossing the ball into the six-yard box. Yengi seems to be in two minds as he pauses his run at the same time as Behich and the keeper collects.

32 min Irankunda has been the Socceroos’ main danger and he pops up on the left side again. No surprise to see him cut back on to his right boot but there is no way through the last line and his shot is blocked.

30 min VAR has a second look at Herrington’s clash with Endrick. The young defender tugs at the Brazilian’s shirt but there was little in it.

29 min Endrick races into the penalty area and is about to connect with a sublime through ball as Herrington makes up ground to get an arm across and force the Brazil attacker to the turf.

27 min Herrington makes a rare error more befitting of his years as he attempts to clear a high ball with a swing of the right boot. The teenager hardly connects but Souttar and the Socceroos defenders cover for their rising star.

25 min Estevao gives a little warning as he powers off the right side and takes a speculative shot from long range. Beach barely moves as the striker slices his shot and ball sails high and wide.

23 min The Socceroos drive forward again and Irankunda collects on the left side of the attack. He searches for his right boot but can’t get a shot away and settles for a corner.

22 min Beach is back under pressure with Brazil attacking into the penalty area and a small collision again causes the keeper to drop the ball. The Socceroos keeper stays on his line for the third attempt in as many minutes to collect Raphinha’s header.

21 min Brazil send the free kick into the penalty area and Beach comes off his line to collect. The Socceroos keeper fumbles and forces his defence to clear the line.

19 min Souttar and Endrick are locked up in a tussle and the Socceroos defender lands on top of his opponent. Brazil look to take a quick free kick but Jackson intervenes and earns an early yellow card.

18 min The Socceroos have all the momentum though Brazil are comfortable covering the last line as the game is being played in the hosts’ half.

16 min Okon-Engstler streams forward as the Brazil defence let him travel to the edge of the area. The wing-back runs out of ideas before passing on the responsibility for trying to create at least a half chance. Irankunda takes over and sprints to the left corner flag and cuts back a cross for Yengi but there are too many Brazil shirts in the way.

14 min Lucas Herrington shows just why his career is on a rapid ascent as he is locked into the back left corner but is able to play out of the danger.

13 min The Socceroos are spending plenty of time in their attacking half without creating anything of note. Young Brazil centre-back Vitor Reis comes off his line and cuts off a pass meant to find Tete Yengi’s feet.

12 min Harry Souttar immediately gives the ball away with a sloppy pass after the restart. The Socceroos are banked up in defence and able to shut down the Brazil attack.

11 min Italiano is up and running with a thick black bandage around his head. We are told he has passed the first concussion test.

8 min It has been a scintillating opening from both sides but especially the Socceroos. There is finally a break in play as Socceroos wing-back Jacob Italiano and Brazil defender Douglas Santos clash heads. Italiano has blood coming from his forehead and seems unlikely to continue.

6 min Beach releases quickly as the Socceroos find Nestory Irankunda with room to go to work down the left. The young attacker swings on to his right boot and only has one thing in mind as he sends a rocket toward the Brazil goal. The powerful shot is on target but Hugo Souza has it covered.

5 min Vinicius Junior carries the ball down the left and into the penalty area but Estevao can’t make the most of the cut back to the top of the box as the scuffed shot is collected by Patrick Beach.

4 min Metcalfe drops a corner into a dangerous and forces the Brazil defence to clear. The Socceroos attacker hits much the same area with the second corner but this time Marquinhos gets a header behind it.

3 min Circati passes a long ball down the right flank to unleash Tete Yengi. The Socceroos striker battles against Marquinhos to keep the ball in the attacking third but out for a throw.

2 min The Socceroos are off to a bright start as the ball is lobbed from the left side back into the penalty area. The Brazilian defence nod back to the keeper to ease the pressure.

1 min The Socceroos are straight on the front foot and Italiano wins the ball in a dangerous area and passes to Metcalfe. The World Cup goalscorer gets a shot away but his left boot slices it wide of Hugo Souza in goal.

Hino Nacional Brasileiro – or the national anthem of Brazil – rings out first at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville before Advance Australia Fair follows. We’re just a few minutes away from kick-off …

The Socceroos and Brazil are in their kit and ready to walk on to the turf in Townsville. Here is a reminder of the starting XIs for each side.

Australia XI: Patrick Beach (gk); Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar (capt), Lucas Herrington, Aziz Behich; Jackson Irvine, Paul Okon-Engstler, Connor Metcalfe; Nestory Irankunda, Tete Yengi.

Brazil XI: Hugo Souza (gk); Douglas Santos, Vitor Reis, Marquinhos, Matheuzinho; Bruno Guimaraes, Danilo Santos; Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Estevao, Endrick.

Brazil might be looking to refresh their squad after their World Cup disappointment but there is still more than enough star power to light up any stage. Barcelona and Brazil forward Raphinha is one of the biggest stars of the lot, and will help lead the line against the Socceroos in Townsville. The No 9 spoke to Sid Lowe about embracing his new role as a leader of the team and the focal point of the attack.

What kind of leader [I am] depends on the moment. If I have to be slightly tougher, I can. But I prefer nicer moments, jokes. The last two years have been spectacular so I haven’t had to be the pesado [pain in the arse] often. I know that annoys people but someone has to do it sometimes.

Tony Popovic tends to play his cards much closer to his chest. But the Socceroos head coach gives a little insight into his selections while speaking with Paramount+.

Very honoured and proud to be in this position [playing Brazil]. I enjoyed it as a player thoroughly, enjoying it as a coach, and as I did at the World Cup and tonight, we have a huge challenge against one the world’s best.

We [Carlo Ancelotti] have caught up a few days ago in Brisbane. He’s just a fantastic man and obviously one of the world’s greatest managers. He’s done so much in his career and won so many titles I’m sure he doesn’t have enough room at home with all the trophies he’s won. So it’ll an honour and a pleasure to share the pitch with him.

We’ve got some youngsters in the front third that have done well with their clubs or moved to clubs overseas. So we feel there’s a good opportunity to a look at their growth and development. And it doesn’t any better than experimenting with the players against Brazil.

[Mo Touré’s injury] just gives someone else an opportunity. I think we’ve dealt with this since I’ve been at this job. We’ve got Jordy Bos out as well. We’ve got Cam Burgess out. We’ve got Christian Volpato out. It’s something we’ve dealt with before. But it’s an opportunity for someone else to take the opportunity and become successful.

Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic continues to show he is prepared to make big selection calls with captain Maty Ryan axed from the squad for these two friendlies against Brazil.

“We know what Maty Ryan is to Australian football,” Popovic said. “A player that has a distinguished career – continues to have one – over 100 caps. But we’d like to have a look at another keeper.”

Joey Lynch is in Townsville tonight to report on the game and has already taken in Brazil’s unlikely visit to the north Queensland town with a population of just over 200,000 as the place to begin their regeneration after another World Cup failure.

A legacy of more World Cup titles than any other nation demands respect, as does the aura of a shirt worn by the likes of Pelé, Socrates, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Neymar. Vinícius, Raphinha, Marquinhos et al are global superstars, and the cultural cachet of joga bonito still permeates. So too are the good vibes, good people and goodwill that accompany them; a Brazilian supporter with a prop World Cup trophy in hand was among those navigating the connection to Townsville from Brisbane airport on Thursday morning. These fixtures, followed by a game against India on 3 October, are going to prove lucrative for the South Americans too. They’ll even be taking the field in Queensland as the official “home” side.

Which brings us to football. And to start, if Brazil are after a genuine Australian football experience they will get one at Lang Park in Brisbane next Tuesday, when they play on a surface only four days after the Dolphins v Roosters preliminary final. But coming off another World Cup failure, Brazil have also landed at an inflection point. Or perhaps more accurately, the latest inflection point, as the nation conducts a new round of soul-searching over an increasingly diminishing place among football’s elite.

Australia can turn to their own star power for the first men’s A international to be played in Townsville.

The Brazilians have arrived at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.

Wondering how Lucas Herrington is progressing with Hull City? Want to know who wins the battle between Nestory Irankunda and Alessandro Circati when Sporting CP and Benfica clash in Portugal?

Sign up to Football Desk Australia: our new, free weekly newsletter with Jonathan Wilson: