San Francisco 49ers beat Los Angeles Rams 27:7 in Melbourne
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 27:7 in a National Football League game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia. The game was attended by 100,021 spectators, ABC News Australia reports.
The game was formally a home game for the Rams, but 49ers fans predominated in the stands. For Australian fans of American football, the game was an opportunity to watch an NFL match live: they usually follow games in the American league at night because of the time difference with the United States.
The first NFL touchdown in Australia
The Rams opened the scoring early in the second quarter. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a pass to receiver Puka Nacua, who advanced the ball along the sideline. Kyren Williams then carried the ball into the end zone, recording the first NFL touchdown on Australian soil.
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Late in the third quarter, the 49ers defense stopped Stafford's attempt to carry the ball from short range near the end zone. A touchdown by Deebo Samuel became one of the key moments in the San Francisco team's victory over their favored opponents.
Stadium program
Before the game, Indigenous Australian dancers and American breakdancers performed at the stadium. The band Infinity Song performed the US anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. Spectators were also given masks that were used to form images of flags in the stands.
Jonas Brothers performed during halftime, while bands played at the arena during breaks. Fans chose the song Horses by Australian singer Daryl Braithwaite for a joint performance. The spectators included representatives of various NFL clubs, as well as Australian rules football players Rowan Marshall, Jack Steele and Luke Dunstan.
