Image source, Getty ImagesByAlastair TelferBBC Sport journalist
- Published45 minutes ago
San Francisco 49ers recorded a dominant 27-7 victory over Super Bowl favourites Los Angeles Rams in front of a crowd of more than 100,000 at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
It was the NFL’s first game in the Asia-Pacific region, and its longest-ever road trip for the first of a record nine international games in 2026.
The 49ers arrived in Melbourne a week before the game, while the Rams opted to spend just over 24 hours in Australia.
Sean McVay’s side are Super Bowl favourites after acquiring defensive end Myles Garrett and welcoming one of the NFL’s greatest defensive players, Aaron Donald, out of retirement.
“I love when they [the Rams] came out and they were booing. We were out here for a week. We enjoyed the city. I don’t think you can fly 16 hours and be ready to play,” 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel told Australia’s Channel Seven.
The game came to life in the second quarter as Kyren Williams ran in for a touchdown to give the Rams a four-point advantage following an earlier 49ers field goal.
However, the 49ers hit back as Demarcus Robinson grabbed a touchdown before half-time.
The momentum continued as receiver Mike Evans scored, followed by a touchdown from Samuel – and a second field goal sealed the win for the 49ers.
Quarterback Brock Purdy completed 25 of 34 passes for 205 yards, including three touchdown passes.
McVay added: “I make no excuses. Whether you want to say it’s about travel, whatever. We just weren’t good enough.
“I didn’t coach good enough, and we’ll look at it and we’ll move forward.”
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