The British and Irish Lions sealed a series victory over Australia in dramatic circumstances, as Hugo Keenan's last-minute try earned a 29-26 victory in the second Test in Melbourne.

Having won the first Test in Brisbane by a 27-19 scoreline, the Lions were seeking their first series win in 12 years, when they triumphed 2-1 Down Under.

But for almost the entirety of Saturday's contest, the Wallabies looked likely to make next week's finale in Sydney a decider, playing with tenacity and being clinical in attack.

The hosts went six points up via a pair of Tom Lynagh penalties in the early stages, before Dan Sheehan tapped down the line to cross for the Lions.

But after Finn Russell missed the conversion, the tourists began to lose their way. James Slipper crossed after a prolonged spell of Australian pressure, while the Lions saw Tommy Freeman sent to the sin-bin. 

Jake Gordon took advantage for the Wallabies' second try in the space of four minutes, and within three further minutes, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii fed Tom Wright to make it 23-5. 

However, that 31st-minute try would prove to be Australia's last as the Lions launched a stirring fightback, with Tom Curry and Huw Jones getting the visitors back to 23-17 by the break.

That breathless first 40 minutes was followed by a cagier second half, with another Lynagh penalty nudging the Wallabies nine in front before a converted try from Tadhg Beirne made it 26-24 on the hour.

The Lions spent long periods inside the Australia 22 without breaking through a resolute rearguard until the clock ticked past 80 minutes, when Keenan finally scrambled over.

The drama was not done there as Australia's Harry Wilson claimed Jac Morgan had hit him high at the previous breakdown, but following a TMO review, the try was confirmed, and the touring party spilled onto the field in celebration.

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— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 26, 2025

Data Debrief: Lions get over the line... just

Not since 1927, on a tour of Argentina (4-0), have the British and Irish Lions completed a clean sweep of a series, but that remains a possibility following Saturday's dramatic success.

This was the fourth instance of the Lions starting a series with a victory this century, but on the previous three occasions (2001, 2013 and 2021), they had failed to finish the job in the second Test, even going on to lose the series in 2001 and 2021.

It looked like a similar story when Andy Farrell's team went 23-5 down in Melbourne, but they rallied to seal one of the most memorable victories in the Lions' history.

While Joe Schmidt's Wallabies will be playing only for pride in Sydney next week, the tourists will target a place in the history books.