Mitch Wishnowsky becomes first Australian to kick NFL field goal, but 49ers blow lead to lose to Cardinals

Australia’s $11 million NFL star Mitch Wishnowsky already has a booming resume as one of the best punters in the NFL - but he’s added another first in a remarkable turn of events.

Mitch Wishnowsky created history for the Niners - becoming the first Australian to kick an NFL field goal. Picture: Getty

A historic field goal from Australian Mitch Wishnowsky failed to deliver the San Francisco 49ers an important win at home.

The 49ers were defeated in the final minutes of their clash against the unfancied Arizona Cardinals, leaving the Super Bowl losers 2-3 from their opening five games.

Wishnowsky, who in 2022 became the first Australian to score a point in the NFL when he kicked two one-point conversions from touchdowns, now has the added honour of being the first Aussie to score a three-point field goal.

Mitch Wishnowsky slots a field goal for the Niners. Picture: Getty

A punter by trade, Wishnowsky stepped up to take the field goal after San Fran’s regular kicker Jake Moody was injured making a tackle late in the second quarter.

With NFL legend Tom Brady observing from the commentary booth, Wishnowsky’s field goal put the Niners 23-10 ahead at the halftime break.

But the home team failed to score a single point in the second half at Levi’s Stadium, as Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray led his team’s comeback with 195 rushing yards and a touchdown pass to Elijah Higgins.

Arizona took the gamble of going for a two-point conversion following that, and it paid off when James Conner rushed through to score, making it 23-21.

Murray guided his team upfield as the clock wound down below two minutes, giving an opportunity for Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland to nail a 35-yard field goal with just 97 seconds remaining in the game.

At 24-23 down, the Niners had one more chance to steal victory by getting within range for their own field goal attempt.

However, Niners quarterback Brock Purdy was hit in the arm as he attempted a pass to tight-end George Kittle, and the ball floated into the arms of Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White.

The turnover sealed San Fran’s fate, and they now sit third in the NCF West table behind Seattle Seahawks and the Cardinals.

They will face the Seahawks on Friday (11.15am AEST) in a tough conference battle, before playing a Super Bowl rematch against Kansas City Chiefs on October 21.

Cardinals star Kyler Murray shares a hug with Brandon Aiyuk after the game. Picture: Getty

Wishnowsky, 32, signed a four-year $US11 million contract in 2022, which expires in 2026.

If Moody fails to recover from his injury, Wishnowsky will be required to take the kicks again.

Inactive 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw is likely to face a fine after shoving Cardinals tight-end Trey McBride during a sideline skirmish in the third quarter.

McBride and Niners rival Charvarius Ward were jostling after a play, and Greenlaw made his way to them and pushed McBride, which is set to earn him and the club a significant fine by the league.

Greenlaw hasn’t played since he tore his Achilles while running on to the field for the Super Bowl clash earlier this year.

Originally published as Mitch Wishnowsky becomes first Australian to kick NFL field goal, but 49ers blow lead to lose to Cardinals