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Socceroos unchanged, Brazil heavily rotate starting XI for Brisbane friendly

Updated
Former Brisbane Roar player Lucas Herrington will play his first international in his hometown.
Former Brisbane Roar player Lucas Herrington will play his first international in his hometown. IAN HITCHCOCK / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

The Socceroos are looking to emulate if not exceed their historic 1-1 draw in Townsville last week when the teams meet tonight at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

Despite the busy club schedule and lengthy travel involved for Australia's Europe and USA-based players, Socceroos boss Tony Popovic has opted not to make any experimental tweaks with his starting team for the second of two home friendlies against Brazil.

The unchanged team gives a significant insight into Popovic's preferred formation and lineup for January's Asian Cup, with this the third-last opportunity he will get before their opening group stage game against Singapore in Khobar on January 9.

Australia's player of the match in Townsville last week was Nestory Irankunda, who rated 7.5 out of 10 on Flashscore's player ratings algorithm for two shots on target including his devastating set piece that put Australia up 1-0. 

He was just the second Socceroo, following Shawn Murphy at the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, to score against Brazil's A team in a fully capped international. 

Brazil Starting XI
Brazil Starting XIFlashscore

Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti made seven changes to his starting lineup.

Defensive midfield pair Bruno Guimaraes and Danilo Santos being retained alongside attacking midfielder Raphinha and left winger Vinicius Junior.

After scoring just once at the FIFA World Cup, 20-year-old Rayan earned a recall off the back of his stoppage time equaliser during the 1-1 draw in Townsville. 

It's the second leg of Brazil's five-game tour of Asia to end 2026, with matches still to come in India this weekend as well as November trips to Japan and Singapore. 

Brazil Starting XI
Brazil Starting XIFlashscore

You can read our match preview and follow live statistics for the game here. 

Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn. 

Aaron Murphy
Aaron MurphyFlashscore
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