For almost the entire night, Australia looked ready to pull off one of the biggest results in recent Socceroos history.

Then, right at the death, Brazil found a way through.

The Socceroos were held to a 1-1 draw by Brazil in Townsville after a dramatic finish saw Rayan score a stoppage-time equaliser, cancelling out a spectacular goal from Nestory Irankunda. The result was particularly painful for Australia after the home side had defended its lead deep into added time.

Still, the performance offered plenty for Australia to take forward.

Irankunda produces another moment of magic

The game was heading towards a tense final stretch when Nestory Irankunda delivered the moment Australian fans had been waiting for.

The young forward produced a spectacular free kick to put the Socceroos ahead and gave the home crowd genuine belief that Brazil could be beaten.

Irankunda has become one of the most exciting young attacking players associated with Australian football. His pace, confidence and ability to strike the ball from distance have made him a player capable of changing a match with a single moment.

Against Brazil, he produced exactly that kind of moment.

For Australia, the goal looked as though it might be enough to secure a famous victory.

Brazil refuse to go quietly

Five-time world champions Brazil were never going to accept defeat without a fight.

The visitors pushed forward as Australia dropped deeper, searching for one final opening. The Socceroos managed to withstand the pressure for much of the closing period, but the decisive moment arrived in stoppage time.

Rayan rose to meet a pinpoint delivery and powered his header beyond the Australian defence, sending the ball into the net in the final moments of the match.

It was almost the last meaningful action of the contest.

For Australia, it was a brutal way to lose the chance of a famous win. For Brazil, it was a dramatic escape.

Irvine sees the bigger picture

Australian midfielder and captain Jackson Irvine was clearly disappointed by the late equaliser, but his reaction after the game reflected how much the Socceroos could still take from the performance.

Australia competed against one of international football’s most decorated nations and showed enough composure to lead for much of the second half.

Irvine also highlighted the atmosphere around the match and the support from the Australian crowd, underlining how significant the occasion was for a team facing one of the biggest names in world football.

A draw that felt like a defeat

On paper, a draw against Brazil is a result Australia can take plenty of confidence from.

But football is rarely played on paper.

The Socceroos were within seconds of beating one of the most decorated national teams in the sport. Instead, they had to settle for a point after Rayan’s late header.

That frustration was visible at the final whistle.

Yet the bigger picture remains encouraging. Australia showed it could stay organised, compete physically and create problems against a Brazil side packed with elite-level talent.

For Nestory Irankunda, meanwhile, the night provided another reminder of his growing importance to Australia’s next generation.

His spectacular free kick deserved to be the winning goal.

Instead, Brazil had the final word.

Another chance is coming

The story is not finished yet.

Australia and Brazil are scheduled to meet again in Brisbane, giving the Socceroos another opportunity to test themselves against the five-time world champions.

For Australia, the challenge will be turning the promise of this performance into another strong showing.

For Irankunda, another big stage awaits.

His spectacular goal may ultimately have been overshadowed by Brazil’s last-gasp equaliser, but the young attacker once again showed why he is becoming one of the most exciting faces of Australian football.

The Socceroos wanted a historic win.

They came painfully close.

Then, with almost the final kick of the night, Brazil changed the story.

The Seattle Seahawks opened their title defence with a reminder that championship teams do not always need perfect performances to find a way to win.

In a tense opening-night clash against the New England Patriots, Seattle recovered from an early 10-0 deficit and the loss of starting quarterback Sam Darnold to secure a gritty 13-10 victory.

The game quickly turned into a test of resilience for the defending champions. Seattle’s offence struggled for long stretches, but a determined defensive performance and a late game-winning field goal ensured the Seahawks began the 2026 regular season with a victory.

And for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, the final quarter became one he will want to forget.

Sam Darnold exits early as Seahawks face immediate adversity

Seattle’s night took an unexpected turn almost immediately when starting quarterback Sam Darnold was forced out after the team’s first offensive series.

The Seahawks suddenly had to turn to backup quarterback Drew Lock, putting additional pressure on an offence that was already struggling to find rhythm.

For much of the first half, Seattle could not generate consistent momentum. The Seahawks either punted or saw the half end on each of their first six possessions, allowing New England to build a 10-0 advantage.

But the defending champions refused to panic.

Drew Lock finds Jaxon Smith-Njigba as Seattle fights back

The breakthrough finally came in the second half.

Backup quarterback Drew Lock connected with reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown that brought the Seahawks back into the contest.

Smith-Njigba was the clear standout for Seattle’s offence, finishing the game with eight receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown.

His contribution was particularly important considering how quiet the rest of Seattle’s receiving group was. The remaining Seahawks pass catchers combined for just nine receptions and 78 yards.

Rookie running back Jadarian Price also provided useful support on the ground, rushing for 52 yards on 10 carries.

Seattle finished with only 285 total offensive yards, but on a difficult night, efficiency in the biggest moments proved more valuable than spectacular numbers.

Jason Myers delivers the decisive kick

With the game hanging in the balance, veteran kicker Jason Myers delivered when Seattle needed him most.

Myers converted two field goals during the contest, including the decisive kick with 5:50 remaining, giving the Seahawks the lead they would ultimately protect.

From that point, the pressure shifted completely onto the Patriots and their young quarterback.

And Seattle’s defence took over.

Three fourth-quarter interceptions change everything

The Patriots still had opportunities to win the game, but Drake Maye endured a disastrous fourth quarter.

Seattle intercepted him on three consecutive possessions, completely changing the complexion of the closing stages.

The final turnover was the most dramatic.

With New England threatening to produce a late winning drive, Josh Jobe intercepted Maye in the end zone with just 21 seconds remaining.

That play effectively sealed the victory and sent Seattle into Week 2 with a hard-earned win.

The Seahawks’ defensive statistics told the story of the night: three interceptions, three sacks, nine tackles for loss and six pass breakups.

It was a championship-level response from a defence that repeatedly stepped up when the game was on the line.

Seattle’s defence makes an early statement

The Seahawks may not have produced their most impressive offensive performance, but their defence showed why the team remains one of the sides to watch this season.

Holding the New England Patriots to 277 total yards while forcing three crucial turnovers in the final quarter was no small achievement.

More importantly, Seattle demonstrated that it can survive adversity.

Losing a starting quarterback early in the game could have easily derailed the defending champions’ opening night. Instead, the Seahawks relied on their backup quarterback, their star receiver, their kicker and, above all, their defence.

That combination was enough.

What comes next for the Seahawks?

The victory gives the Seattle Seahawks an early advantage as they begin another campaign with championship expectations.

Seattle will next face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2, where the team will hope for more clarity regarding the condition of Sam Darnold.

For now, though, the defending champions have made their first statement of the season.

It was not pretty. It was not easy.

But when the fourth quarter demanded big plays, Seattle’s defence delivered three of them.

And that was enough to turn a difficult opening night into a 13-10 victory.

The Chicago Cubs are facing an uncomfortable question as the postseason race heats up: who can they trust to protect a late lead?

For the second consecutive game, Chicago’s bullpen failed to shut the door against its NL Central rival, the Milwaukee Brewers. This time, the Cubs suffered a painful 4-3 defeat in 10 innings, after a dramatic late collapse turned another winnable game into a frustrating loss.

At the centre of the disappointment was Jacob Webb, who surrendered a game-tying home run to Brewers star Jackson Chourio with two outs in the ninth inning.

And after the game, Webb did not hide his emotions.

“I’m tired of letting the team down, to be completely honest.”

It was a brutally honest moment from a pitcher who has suddenly found himself under enormous pressure.

Jackson Chourio Changes the Game in One Swing

The Cubs were just one out away from victory when Chourio stepped up and delivered the moment Milwaukee needed.

The Brewers outfielder connected against Webb to tie the game late, sending the contest into extra innings and shifting all the momentum toward the home side.

Milwaukee eventually completed the comeback in the 10th inning when Luis Lara delivered an RBI single to secure the 4-3 victory.

For the Brewers, it was another example of their ability to fight until the final out. For Chicago, however, it was another painful reminder that their bullpen problems are becoming impossible to ignore.

Jacob Webb Faces a Difficult Stretch

Webb has been handed an increasingly important role in the Cubs bullpen this season. Originally signed on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, he was expected to provide valuable depth in the middle innings.

Instead, circumstances pushed him into closing games.

For much of the season, he handled the responsibility well. Recently, though, things have changed dramatically.

Webb has now allowed three late-inning home runs across his last six appearances, and Chicago has lost each of those games.

The frustration was clear after the latest defeat, with Webb describing his recent performances in particularly harsh terms.

Still, despite the disappointment, the pitcher insisted that he has not lost faith in himself or the team.

“I think we’re going to get back on track. I have confidence in myself. I have confidence in this team, this bullpen.”

The problem for the Cubs is that confidence alone will not solve the issue as October approaches.

Cubs Bullpen Numbers Raise Serious Concerns

Chicago’s relief pitching has struggled collectively since mid-August.

The Cubs bullpen ranks 23rd in MLB in ERA during that period and has allowed 16 home runs, among the highest totals in baseball over the same stretch.

The situation has been made even more difficult by injuries to key relievers.

Former closer Daniel Palencia is still attempting to regain his rhythm after an extended arm injury, while trade acquisition Ryan Zeferjahn has also struggled since arriving from the Los Angeles Angels.

The result is a constantly changing bullpen picture that has left manager Craig Counsell searching for reliable answers.

“We have eight guys down there,” Counsell said after the loss. “Those are the guys we’re going to rely on. We have to figure it out.”

That statement perfectly captures Chicago’s current situation.

The Cubs do not have the luxury of waiting for a completely new solution. The pitchers already in the clubhouse must find a way to perform.

Craig Counsell Faces a Tough October Decision

The biggest concern may be the closer role.

Webb had been doing enough earlier in the season to earn important late-game opportunities. But his recent struggles have raised doubts about whether he can remain the Cubs’ trusted option when the pressure reaches another level in postseason baseball.

Counsell has also experimented with different approaches.

In the previous game, he left starter Matthew Boyd in for the eighth inning rather than immediately turning to the bullpen. That decision also failed to produce the desired result.

“It hurts when it happens,” Counsell admitted. “It hurts when it happens consecutively.”

For a team fighting for playoff positioning, consecutive bullpen collapses can quickly become much more than ordinary regular-season losses.

Brewers Continue Their Historic Season

While the Cubs were left dealing with another late-game nightmare, the Brewers celebrated another remarkable comeback.

Milwaukee recorded its 90th win of the season, becoming the fastest team in franchise history to reach that milestone.

The Brewers have now won four games this season after trailing by two or more runs in the ninth inning or later — an impressive figure considering the franchise had managed only three such victories across the previous three seasons combined.

Chourio, whose ninth-inning blast completely changed the game, said the intensity of the moment helped elevate his performance.

The Brewers could now secure a playoff berth as early as Wednesday, adding another milestone to what has already been an outstanding season.

Cubs’ Playoff Race Gets Even Tighter

For Chicago, the timing of these struggles could hardly be worse.

The Cubs missed an opportunity to move ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for the top National League Wild Card position.

Meanwhile, victories for the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks tightened the race for the available playoff places.

What once looked like a relatively comfortable postseason push could quickly turn into a fierce battle if Chicago continues to surrender late leads.

The Cubs still have enough talent to reach October. Their starting pitching has delivered important performances, and the lineup remains capable of winning difficult games.

But baseball’s biggest games are often decided in the final innings.

And right now, that is exactly where the Cubs appear most vulnerable.

For Jacob Webb and the rest of the bullpen, the message is simple: the margin for error is disappearing fast.

The next few weeks could determine whether Chicago enters the postseason ready to compete — or spends the winter wondering how so many late leads slipped away.