The Aporia · Stunning free kick shows Irankunda's star is aligning for Socceroos

Simon Smale

26 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 4. Robbie Williams still entertains us Racegoers were given a real musical treat ahead of the race, with 52-year-old British legend Robbie Williams performing both pre and post-race at Flemington.

2026-11-03 · assertive framing · Quick hits: A-listers, mistakes and the King's Melbourne Cup connection

🔮 AUS versus ENG Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus WAU Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, VIC versus QUE Thu, 3 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus TAS Thu, 3 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Sat, 5 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 9 Dec, 1:20 pm, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 12 Dec, 8:10 pm, Game not started, MER versus PER Mon, 14 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Tue, 15 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Tue, 15 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Tue, 15 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus SYS Wed, 16 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Wed, 16 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus ADE Thu, 17 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Thu, 17 Dec, 11:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Thu, 17 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, HOB versus BRI Fri, 18 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Fri, 18 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus ADE Sat, 19 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Sat, 19 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus SYS Sun, 20 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Sun, 20 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus HOB Mon, 21 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Mon, 21 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus BRI Tue, 22 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYS versus MER Wed, 23 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, ADE versus SYT Thu, 24 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MER versus HOB Sat, 26 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 26 Dec, 6:05 pm, Game not started, SYS versus BRI Sat, 26 Dec, 9:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus MES Sun, 27 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus MER Mon, 28 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus ADE Tue, 29 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, HOB versus MES Wed, 30 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus SYT live Live updates: South Africa vs Australia, third Test, day five from Newlands, Cape Town Australia looks to chase down 288 runs to win the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, with series honours on the line. Follow all the action in our live blog, check out the stats in our match Scorecard and ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage. Submit a comment or question Live updates What happened yesterday? There were plenty around the traps who thought that, perhaps, the Test would be finished yesterday.

2026-10-31 · assertive framing · Live: Australia starts tough chase with series victory over South Africa on the line

🔮 If Kez [Carey] and I could have added another 50, that would have been really nice.

2026-10-30 · assertive framing · Live: Australia looking to push home advantage in Cape Town Test

🔮 Mon, 23 Nov, 1:30 pm, Game not started, WAU versus TAS Tue, 24 Nov, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus VIC Tue, 24 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Wed, 25 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MRW versus BHW Thu, 26 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, STW versus ASW Thu, 26 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, SSW versus MSW Fri, 27 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Fri, 27 Nov, 9:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus HHW Sat, 28 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MRW versus MSW Sat, 28 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, STW versus SSW Sun, 29 Nov, 12:00 pm, Game not started, BHW versus PSW Sun, 29 Nov, 3:30 pm, Game not started, ASW versus HHW Sun, 29 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Tue, 1 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 2 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus WAU Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, VIC versus QUE Thu, 3 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus TAS Thu, 3 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Sat, 5 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 9 Dec, 1:20 pm, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 12 Dec, 8:10 pm, Game not started, MER versus PER Mon, 14 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Tue, 15 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Tue, 15 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Tue, 15 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus SYS Wed, 16 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Wed, 16 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus ADE Thu, 17 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Thu, 17 Dec, 11:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Thu, 17 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, HOB versus BRI Fri, 18 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Fri, 18 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus ADE Sat, 19 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Sat, 19 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus SYS Sun, 20 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Sun, 20 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus HOB Mon, 21 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Mon, 21 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus BRI Tue, 22 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYS versus MER Wed, 23 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, ADE versus SYT Thu, 24 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MER versus HOB Sat, 26 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 26 Dec, 6:05 pm, Game not started, SYS versus BRI Sat, 26 Dec, 9:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus MES Sun, 27 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus MER Mon, 28 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus ADE live Live updates: South Africa vs Australia, third Test, day three from Newlands, Cape Town Australia has a first innings lead over South Africa, and will be looking to build on that on day three of the deciding Test in Cape Town.

2026-10-29 · assertive framing · Live: Australia looks to press home its advantage on day three in Cape Town

🔮 New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters Some advice for Head and Renshaw Hi Chris, it would be an understatement to say I'm a bit fidgety waiting for the Aussies start batting.

2026-10-28 · assertive framing · Live: Australia begins day two at crease after Starc blitz flattens South Africa

🔮 Sat, 22 Aug, 11:00 pm, Final score, AUS 210, BAN 64 & 95 Fri, 11 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 117, AAW 4/121 Mon, 14 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, ZIM 235, AUS 8/294 Mon, 14 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 7/148, AAW 2/178 Wed, 16 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 161, AAW 5/168 Thu, 17 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, ZIM 272, AUS 6/356 Thu, 17 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INU 6/182, AUU 7/175 Thu, 17 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, WAU 9/238, SAM 0/58 Fri, 18 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, QUE 7/335, VIC 7/339 Sat, 19 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, ZIM 8/271, AUS 9/272 Sat, 19 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 6/239, AAW 235 Sat, 19 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, WAU 115, TAS 1/117 Sun, 20 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INU 7/341, AUU 239 Mon, 21 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, QUE 358, NSW 6/359 Tue, 22 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 6/338, AAW 8/341 Tue, 22 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INU 4/255, AUU 254 Tue, 22 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SAM 7/383, TAS 8/376 Wed, 23 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SAF 8/297, AUS 230 Thu, 24 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 6/364, AAW 9/362 Thu, 24 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INA 334 & 199, AUA 171 & 200 Thu, 24 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, VIC 212, NSW 257 Sat, 26 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SAF 9/365, AUS 333 Mon, 28 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, INU 494, AUU 217 & 229 Mon, 28 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SYW 4/168, QUW 167 Mon, 28 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, VIW 8/293, SAS 7/290 Mon, 28 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, WAW 6/236, TAW 232 Tue, 29 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SAF 4/145, AUS 9/322 Wed, 30 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, IAW 364 & 257, AAW 176 & 164 Wed, 30 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, SYW 174, QUW 4/285 Wed, 30 Sept, 11:00 pm, Final score, WAW 7/273, TAW 7/299 Thu, 1 Oct, 2:00 pm, Final score, VIW -, SAS - Thu, 1 Oct, 11:00 pm, Final score, INA 167 & 9/310, AUA 358 & 4/173d Tue, 6 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, INA 149, AUA 274 Tue, 6 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, QUW 9/266, BAW 7/196 Wed, 7 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, INU 315 & 0/11, AUU 174 & 151 Fri, 9 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 3/168, BAW 166 Fri, 9 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, INA 206, AUA 275 Sat, 10 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, VIC 244 & 224, SAM 508 Sun, 11 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 1/222, BAW 6/220 Sun, 11 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, INA 275, AUA 226 Sun, 11 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, NSW 9/500d, TAS 245 & 5/402 Sun, 11 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, WAU 175 & 8/201, QUE 307 & 68 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, VIC 241, SAM 311 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, HHW 7/127, ACM 100 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SSW 3/136, BHW 90 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, MRW 7/138, PSW 4/139 Mon, 12 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW 3/79, MSW 78 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SAF 284 & 206, AUS 390 & 6/314d Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, NSW 158, TAS 203 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, WAU 246, QUE 261 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SSW 3/78, ACM 7/77 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, ASW 4/183, PSW 8/182 Tue, 13 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW -, BHW - Wed, 14 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 2/175, BAW 172 Wed, 14 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, MRW 4/180, MSW 6/179 Wed, 14 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, ASW 5/165, HHW 8/136 Fri, 16 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, BHW 4/86, ACM 83 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SAM 7/397, QUE 271 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, HHW 5/136, PSW 8/166 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW 5/122, MRW 9/121 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, ACM 4/129, MSW 6/132 Sat, 17 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SSW 9/105, ASW 6/143 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 8/165, NZW 2/162 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, MRW 2/132, HHW 8/129 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, BHW 129, ASW 6/139 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW 2/93, PSW 92 Sun, 18 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SSW 8/155, MSW 5/158 Sun, 18 Oct, 7:15 pm, Live score, AUW -, BAW - Tue, 20 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, AUW 7/167, NZW 8/127 Tue, 20 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, ASW 6/116, PSW 5/118 Tue, 20 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, STW 9/152, SSW 6/153 Tue, 20 Oct, 7:15 pm, Live score, AUW -, BAW - Wed, 21 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, SAM 203 & 145, QUE 238 & 4/114 Wed, 21 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, PSW 7/134, SSW 8/149 Thu, 22 Oct, 12:00 am, Live score, SAF 9/425d, AUS 99 & 4/156 f/o Thu, 22 Oct, 12:00 am, Live score, AUW -, NZW - Thu, 22 Oct, 12:00 am, Final score, TAS 241 & 236, VIC 207 & 266 Thu, 22 Oct, 12:00 am, Live score, WAU 339 & 6/183, NSW 6/440d & 5/262d Thu, 22 Oct, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUW versus BAW Sat, 24 Oct, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAS versus VIC Sat, 24 Oct, 5:00 pm, Game not started, WAU versus NSW Tue, 27 Oct, 7:30 pm, Game not started, SAF versus AUS Wed, 28 Oct, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus WAU Thu, 29 Oct, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MRW versus STW Thu, 29 Oct, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MSW versus HHW Fri, 30 Oct, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAS versus NSW Fri, 30 Oct, 11:45 am, Game not started, AU6 versus ONG Fri, 30 Oct, 7:05 pm, Game not started, EN6 versus AU6 Fri, 30 Oct, 7:10 pm, Game not started, BHW versus SSW Sat, 31 Oct, 11:00 am, Game not started, QUE versus VIC Sat, 31 Oct, 3:40 pm, Game not started, ASW versus MSW Sat, 31 Oct, 7:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus MRW Sun, 1 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, STW versus BHW Sun, 1 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, SSW versus HHW Mon, 2 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MSW versus PSW Wed, 4 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, HHW versus MRW Thu, 5 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, ASW versus BHW Thu, 5 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, STW versus PSW Fri, 6 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MSW versus SSW Sat, 7 Nov, 2:30 pm, Game not started, WAU versus ENG Sat, 7 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MRW versus ASW Sat, 7 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, BHW versus HHW Sun, 8 Nov, 1:40 pm, Game not started, SSW versus STW Sun, 8 Nov, 5:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus MSW Tue, 10 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, HHW versus ASW Wed, 11 Nov, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus SAM Wed, 11 Nov, 10:30 am, Game not started, VIC versus WAU Wed, 11 Nov, 11:30 am, Game not started, QUE versus TAS Wed, 11 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus STW Thu, 12 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MSW versus BHW Thu, 12 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MRW versus SSW Fri, 13 Nov, 2:30 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Sat, 14 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, HHW versus BHW Sat, 14 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus ASW Sun, 15 Nov, 11:00 am, Game not started, SSW versus MRW Sun, 15 Nov, 2:30 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Mon, 16 Nov, 10:00 am, Game not started, NSW versus SAM Mon, 16 Nov, 11:00 am, Game not started, QUE versus TAS Mon, 16 Nov, 2:00 pm, Game not started, VIC versus WAU Mon, 16 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, STW versus MSW Tue, 17 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, ASW versus SSW Wed, 18 Nov, 2:30 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Thu, 19 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, HHW versus PSW Thu, 19 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, BHW versus STW Fri, 20 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, ASW versus MRW Sat, 21 Nov, 12:00 pm, Game not started, HHW versus STW Sat, 21 Nov, 3:30 pm, Game not started, SSW versus PSW Sat, 21 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Sun, 22 Nov, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus QUE Sun, 22 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, BHW versus ASW Sun, 22 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MSW versus MRW Mon, 23 Nov, 1:30 pm, Game not started, WAU versus TAS Tue, 24 Nov, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus VIC Tue, 24 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Wed, 25 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, MRW versus BHW Thu, 26 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, STW versus ASW Thu, 26 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, SSW versus MSW Fri, 27 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Fri, 27 Nov, 9:10 pm, Game not started, PSW versus HHW Sat, 28 Nov, 3:40 pm, Game not started, MRW versus MSW Sat, 28 Nov, 7:10 pm, Game not started, STW versus SSW Sun, 29 Nov, 12:00 pm, Game not started, BHW versus PSW Sun, 29 Nov, 3:30 pm, Game not started, ASW versus HHW Sun, 29 Nov, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Tue, 1 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 2 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, AUS versus ENG Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, NSW versus WAU Thu, 3 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, VIC versus QUE Thu, 3 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAM versus TAS Thu, 3 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Sat, 5 Dec, 7:10 pm, Game not started, versus Wed, 9 Dec, 1:20 pm, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Sat, 12 Dec, 8:10 pm, Game not started, MER versus PER Mon, 14 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Tue, 15 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Tue, 15 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Tue, 15 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, BRI versus SYS Wed, 16 Dec, 11:00 am, Game not started, SAS versus WAW Wed, 16 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus ADE Thu, 17 Dec, 10:00 am, Game not started, ACM versus SYW Thu, 17 Dec, 11:30 am, Game not started, AUS versus NZL Thu, 17 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, HOB versus BRI Fri, 18 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Fri, 18 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus ADE Sat, 19 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Sat, 19 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, SYT versus SYS Sun, 20 Dec, 3:00 pm, Game not started, SLW versus AUW Sun, 20 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, PER versus HOB Mon, 21 Dec, 10:30 am, Game not started, TAW versus VIW Mon, 21 Dec, 7:15 pm, Game not started, MES versus BRI live Live updates: South Africa vs Australia, second Test, day five from St George's Park in Gqeberha South Africa are odds on to level the series with victory in the second Test, with Australia needing a monumental batting effort to salvage a draw in Gqeberha. Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage. Submit a comment or question Live updates New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters Marco's mastery He may have a perpetual scowl on his face on field, but Marco Jansen had plenty to smile about during yesterday's day's play, as he claimed 5-33 in 11 overs. The 26-year-old has had a good mate, scoring 85 runs on Tuesday, his second-highest Test score, before backing up with an accurate display of seam bowling yesterday.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Live: Australia battling to avoid defeat in second Test

🔮 The forecast then for the rest of the week also looks improved, so a result here in Gqeberha is not at all out of the question.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · Live: Australia battles the weather on day two of second Test

🔮 I'd suggest that means Cameron Green is not going to be selected - and I'd guess that Nathan Lyon might miss out too.

2026-10-18 · assertive framing · Live: Australia, South Africa set for second Test in drizzly Gqeberha

🔮 Later, a tribute to Jai Arrow will be held before the NRL decider between the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights.

2026-10-04 · assertive framing · Live: Roosters and Broncos back at it in another NRLW grand final

🔮 Competing in a point-to-point ocean swim couldn't have been more different from the 125 tumble turns she completed in competition at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in the past four days.

2026-10-03 · assertive framing · FOMO and 4am wake-up call get Pallister in the ocean

Also by Simon Smale

Quick hits: A-listers, mistakes and the King's Melbourne Cup connection

2026-11-03 · ABC News (AU)

Live: Australia starts tough chase with series victory over South Africa on the line

2026-10-31 · ABC News (AU)

Live: Australia looking to push home advantage in Cape Town Test

2026-10-30 · ABC News (AU)

Live: Australia looks to press home its advantage on day three in Cape Town

2026-10-29 · ABC News (AU)

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 26 articles by Simon Smale →

With some players, there's always a moment in their career that, years into the future, you can look back on as a beacon of when they truly announced themselves. asserted

they → be → themselves

Perhaps we will be able to point to a stunning free kick for the ages as that moment in the young career of Nestory Irankunda. asserted

we → point → Irankunda

Neither, you suspect, will Chelsea wonder kid Estêvão. asserted

Estêvão → suspect → ?

The 19-year-old probably had the best view of anyone, lying at the base of the four-man wall looking back towards Hugo Souza. asserted

old → have → Souza

He could see, with devastating precision, the ball fly over him and into the top corner, Souza skittishly crabbing across his line before admitting defeat. uncertain

Souza → see → defeat

It might be fun to wonder what was going through Estêvão's mind as he rolled onto his back to stare into the sky above the Townsville stadium. uncertain

he → wonder → stadium

Whatever he was thinking, Irankunda was already flipping towards the corner flag. asserted

Irankunda → think → flag

"I mean, good goal, good goal," he told Channel 10, the confidence of youth oozing from his voice as he was asked about his free kick. " asserted

he → mean → kick

I've done it before and to do it again today against a top team in Brazil, it's amazing. asserted

it → do → Brazil

"Sometimes [when I try it], the ball goes outside the training ground. asserted

ball → try → ground

Sometimes I miss completely. asserted

I → miss → ?

"For it to go in today, it felt good. asserted

it → go → ?

You see there, beautiful. asserted

You → see → ?

Estêvão already had first-hand experience of Irankunda's slipperiness: on the half hour mark the Sporting forward showed brilliant balance to turn the Chelsea man and then exploded with power to dance away up field. That, almost as much as the goal, was a moment worth remembering, an Aussie displaying the audacity to spin a Brazilian in the middle of the pitch. asserted

That → have → pitch

"There were some big stars out tonight," Irankunda said on Channel 10, marvelling at the crowds that had come out to support both Australia and Brazil. asserted

that → be → Australia

"But we've got some big stars too. asserted

we → get → stars

" That is true, but already Irankunda deserves to be considered one that could burn among the brightest. uncertain

that → deserve → brightest

Having made the move to Portuguese giants Sporting from Watford in the off-season, Irankunda has not quite had time to make his mark yet. asserted

Irankunda → make → mark

Only once in five games has he started in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, and he is yet to provide an assist or score a goal. asserted

he → start → goal

But given this moment against Brazil, a team that still carries the romance of an illustrious past despite a 24-year-and-counting absence from the World Cup final, one wonders whether the ripples through the lusophone world may just nudge those in power at the Lisbon giants to afford him greater chances to prove his worth. uncertain

ripples → give → worth

It certainly caught the eye of the club's social media team, who slapped a "GOLAÇO" label on it within three minutes of the net rippling 16,844 kilometres away. asserted

net → catch → minutes

Brazil were most certainly off-colour, "average" according to Bruno Guimarães's damning assessment post-match. uncertain

Brazil → accord → assessment

In the first half at least, it was the Socceroos who were bossing the game, charging forward, rampaging through a fragile Brazilian midfield that still seems bruised from its last-16 defeat at the World Cup a few months ago, crafting the chances, delivering the crosses and winning the corners. asserted

that → boss → corners

Of course Brazil started to turn it on. asserted

Brazil → start → it

With the quality up front that they had, how could they not? uncertain

they → have → that

Despite an atrocious pitch, which rolled up like a cheap carpet at a shabby motel, Brazil's bevvy of stars began to knock the ball around with the playful nonchalance of men who are all too aware of their own brilliance. asserted

who → roll → brilliance

But it was their lesser lights, Flamengo pair Samuel Lino and Pedro, as well as Bournemouth's Rayan who finally made the breakthrough. asserted

who → make → breakthrough

And it was Irankunda who provided the stand-out moment of the game. asserted

who → provide → game

It is his liveliness and confidence imbues in the Socceroos a dash of verve and belief in their own abilities. asserted

liveliness → imbue → abilities

Playing on the left, cutting back inside and posing a threat from set pieces, Irankunda has the sort of aura that few Socceroos players in recent years can command. asserted

players → play → years

His ability to cut back inside and unleash with that right foot, just as he did inside the opening 10 minutes to force a fine save from Hugo Souza, is explosive. asserted

he → cut → Souza

Tony Popovic only made three changes from the side that started the game against Egypt in the World Cup but playing Irankunda left was so decisive, the pain of seeing him so wasted as a target man in Dallas surely enough to forever wipe that option from Popovic's mind. Yengi played his part centrally as a willing runner and constant menace to an inexperienced Brazilian back four, while the Seleção's pitiful midfield was readily overrun by fullbacks Jacob Italiano and Aziz Behich, with Paul Okon-Engstler's driving runs from midfield the telling factor in winning the free kick that Irankunda so magnificently placed into the net. asserted

Irankunda → make → net

Brazil may prove to be better in Brisbane. uncertain

Brazil → prove → Brisbane

A quiet night may have those who were singing Irankunda's praises on Friday bemoaning a lack of consistency by Tuesday. uncertain

who → have → Tuesday

But given he is showing himself repeatedly capable of such brilliance, it seems unlikely to be long before the next career-defining moment will come along. asserted

moment → give → brilliance

Stunning free kick shows Irankunda's star is aligning for Socceroos

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