Arabic version: ركلة إيرانوندا الحرة تؤشر إلى مستقبل واعد لسوكروز

According to ABC News, Nestory Irankunda delivered the defining moment in the Socceroos’ 1-1 draw with Brazil in Townsville, curling a free kick into the top corner in front of 25,440 spectators. The 19-year-old Sporting forward said the strike was “amazing” after doing it against a “top team in Brazil.”

Irankunda’s goal came after he had already shown his ability to unsettle Brazil. Around the half-hour mark, he turned Chelsea player Estêvão before powering away upfield. Earlier, cutting inside from the left, he forced a fine save from Brazil goalkeeper Hugo Souza with his right foot.

The goal drew a swift reaction from Sporting, which labelled the strike “GOLAÇO” on social media within three minutes, despite the 16,844-kilometre distance from Townsville. Irankunda joined the Portuguese club from Watford in the off-season, but has started only once in five Portuguese Primeira Liga matches and has yet to score or provide an assist in the competition.

Australia controlled much of the first half, creating chances, delivering crosses and winning corners against a Brazilian midfield that ABC News described as fragile. Brazil later improved, with Real Madrid’s Endrick and Vinícius Júnior, Barcelona’s Raphinha and Chelsea’s Estêvão among the attacking options. Flamengo pair Samuel Lino and Pedro, along with Bournemouth’s Rayan, made the breakthrough, but Irankunda’s free kick remained the stand-out moment.

Coach Tony Popovic made three changes from the team that started against Egypt in the World Cup, and Irankunda’s deployment on the left was portrayed as decisive. With Yengi operating centrally, Jacob Italiano and Aziz Behich advancing from fullback, and Paul Okon-Engstler making driving midfield runs, Australia earned the free kick that Irankunda converted.