Lions v Australia: first Test – in pictures

Lions fans are out in force in Brisbane ahead of the game. They're showing their support with replica shirts and face paint ... Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

… natty Lion-esque sunnies ... Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

… and full-on lion suits Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The British & Irish Lions squad stand together ahead of kick-off Photograph: David Davies/PA

Bad news for the Wallabies in the first minute, when debutant Christian Leali'ifano is stretchered off the field after colliding with Jonathan Davies. Despite initially looking serious, a raised thumbs-up from Leali'ifano suggests a more positive outcome. He is replaced by Pat McCabe Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images

The Lions captain, Sam Warburton, doesn't relinquish possession of the ball despite the attention of Ben Alexander Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

Australia soak up a lot of Lions pressure before winning a penalty in their own 22. Will Genia taps it quickly to launch a lightning counterattack down the right with a couple of dummies thrown in for good measure ... Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

… before clipping a glorious short kick to Israel Folau, who collects the ball and then steams over the line. The conversion makes it 7-0 Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

But that lead doesn't last long. After catching a high kick inside his own half, George North goes on a fabulous run. Bulldozing past two, then sidestepping Berrick Barnes ... Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

… before skipping past Genia's attempted tap-tackle, to go over in the corner. Leigh Halfpenny gets a conversion to add to his previous penalty and the Lions have a 7-10 lead. Come half-time, it's 13-12 Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

Just after the half-hour mark, North barges past Genia and Folau to go over in the corner. But was his elbow in touch? The video ref studies the footage for nearly two minutes and then rules ... no try Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

After 35 minutes, there's a third fantastic try. Australia show wonderful hands to flip the ball from left to right before Folau receives it 30 metres out. A try doesn't appear to be on until Folau sidesteps Sexton superbly and then scampers between two to touch down Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

More woe for the Wallabies: Pat McCabe suffers a neck injury in a tackle by Alex Cuthbert Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The fourth try comes in the second half, and it's another beauty. Cuthbert finishes beautifully after receiving a smart pass from Jonathan Sexton 30 metres out, scything through the weakened Aussie midfield, leaving Genia and Kurtley Beale clutching at his jersey in vain. The ref asks the video official to check whether a decoy run by Brian O'Driscoll amounted to obstruction but the video man says nothing doing. After missing a penalty towards the end of the first half, Halfpenny finds his kicking boots again and launches the conversion through the posts. It's now Australia 12-20 Lions Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

The Lions' Alun Wyn Jones and Kane Douglas clash Photograph: Rob Griffith/AP

O'Driscoll tries to pass around Adam Ashley-Cooper Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images

Beale receives a pass from Genia 10 metres inside his own half and then slaloms 50 metres forward before Halfpenny brings him down. Paul O'Connell then smothers the ball to prevent a try, and concedes a penalty. Beale sticks the ball through the posts to add to an earlier James O'Connor penalty and put Australia within two points. Australia 21-23 Lions Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

Digby Ioane is stopped in his tracks by North, right, and O'Connell Photograph: David Davies/PA

Jamie Heaslip attempts to stop Genia launching the ball upfield Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

There are only five minutes left when Mako Vunipola goes off his feet at the breakdown. It's a penalty 25 metres out; what a chance for Australia to get their noses in front in the closing stages. But nerves get the better of Beale, and he shanks his kick wide Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

In the last minute of the game, Australia bully the Lions scrum into disarray to win another penalty. Beale has another shot at glory, from about 46 metres ... Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

… but he slips just as he connects with the ball ... Photograph: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

… and watches forlornly as the ball falls way short Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

Here's Beale's slip from another angle Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images

The final whistle goes and Halfpenny and Cuthbert embrace as the Lions win the first Test 23-21. If the next two Tests are as exciting as this one, we're in for a treat Photograph: Chris Hyde/Getty Images