Socceroos lose at home to Ecuador despite Brandon Borrello’s first international goal

The Socceroos lost 2-1 to Ecuador in Melbourne to end their first series in Australia since the World Cup.

Four days after Australia beat Ecuador 3-1, they drew first blood with Brandon Borrello’s first international goal.

Although Borrello appeared offside, the goal gave Australia an early push, but they couldn’t go with a physical Ecuador in front of 27,103 fans at Marvel Stadium.

Riley McGree was also denied a penalty after Piero Hincapie hit the midfielder in the 45th minute.

Adelaide United goalkeeper Joe Gauci made his debut with three excellent saves in the first half.

Brandon Borrello had given the Australians the lead with his first international goal

But Gauci was unable to do anything to stop Pervis Estupinan’s penalty on 53 minutes, before William Pacho scored an excellent header from a corner on 65 minutes to complete Ecuador’s turnaround.

Graham Arnold made seven changes to his Sydney starting line-up.

Melburnian Jackson Irvine captained the Socceroos for the first time, Gauci replaced Ryan (minor groin injury) and Bailey Wright replaced Harry Souttar (ankle).

But Wright and Thomas Deng, who replaced Kye Rowles but was hooked by him in the second half, had nightmares all night about Kevin Rodriguez.

Gauci sprang into action in the fourth minute when Rodríguez moved away from Wright and fired a shot on goal, with the 22-year-old coming down for a brilliant one-handed save.

The Socceroos took the lead when Irvine picked up Craig Goodwin, who slipped when he hit the post from long range.

The ball serendipitously deflected to Borrello, who sizzled a left-footed shot for the first time at home.

In the 22nd minute, Rodríguez got past Deng and fired wide, but again found his match in Gauci, who deflected the ball to safety.

Gauci made another sharp save to deny a Félix Torres header from the ensuing corner.

There were ugly scenes in the 27th minute when Cameron Devlin was left bleeding from an accidental knee to Pacho’s head, but he played again.

Ecuador fired a warning shot when Junior Somoza went over the bar in the 31st minute.

Graham Arnold made seven changes to the team that beat Ecuador last week

Australia looked on course for two wins from two games against Ecuador, but blew the lead in a disappointing second half at Marvel Stadium.

Pervis Estupinas (center) tied the South Americans from the penalty spot in the second half

Cam Devlin suffered a nasty looking head injury after a brutal collision with Pacho

McGree was outraged when he did not receive a penalty late in the half.

Six minutes into the second half, Fernández cut inside Deng and the defender tackled him from behind, and Ecuador captain Estupinan coolly buried the ensuing penalty.

For Ecuador’s second, Pacho cleverly concealed his run and blasted past the Australian defenders to head in a beautiful Junior Sornoza corner.

Melbourne City youngster Jordan Bos made his international debut in the second half, but Arnold opted not to call on Adelaide teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda.