In the friendly between the current champions of South America and Europe, Brazil won. This Saturday (25), the women’s football team defeated England 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium, in the English city of Manchester. The Brazilians resisted the pressure of playing around 70 minutes with one less player.
The duel served as a “preview” of the next Finalíssima, a tournament that brings together, in a single game, the winners of the Copa América and the Eurocup, on a date and place to be confirmed. The last edition also involved both countries, in 2023. The teams drew 1-1 at Wembley Stadium, in the English capital, with the hosts winning on penalties.
The Brazilians return to the field this Tuesday (28), at 1:15 pm (Brasília time), for another friendly match. This time, against Italy, semi-finalists in the last European Championship. The match will be at the Ennio Tardini Stadium, in the Italian city of Parma.
Coach Arthur Elias sent a lineup onto the field with Lorena in goal, three defenders (Tarciane, Isa Haas and Mariza), Yasmin on the left and striker Luany on the right. Angelina and Duda Sampaio formed the midfield, with Ludmila and Dudinha on the wings and Bia Zaneratto in command of the attack.
Brazil was not intimidated by the two-time European champions, they put pressure on the ball and soon took the lead. In the eighth minute, Bia Zaneratto received the ball from Dudinha at speed, invaded the area through the middle and finished in the corner of goalkeeper Khiara Keating. The Empress’s effusive celebration – as she is known – has an explanation: it was her return to the Brazilian team after a series of injuries.
At 17, Bia returned the kindness. Following a ball recovered by Angelina in midfield, the center forward advanced to the edge of the area and rolled the ball to Dudinha, who dominated and shot hard, with no chance for Keating, increasing the Canarian advantage.
Four minutes later, however, Brazil lost Angelina, who was sent off. The captain received a straight red card for bringing down Ella Toone before the striker entered the area free. From the free kick, full-back Alex Greenwood hit the crossbar. On the rebound, defender Jess Carter headed wide.
With numerical superiority, England began to occupy the attacking field for longer, but without causing any major scares in the first half. On the return break, however, the hosts conceded a penalty from Bia Zaneratto, who blocked midfielder Beth Mead inside the area. In the sixth minute, midfielder Georgia Stanway hit the right corner and beat Lorena.
The Brazilians felt the wear and tear of having one player less and retreated once and for all under the English pressure, with Tarciane and Mariza standing out in defense. Arthur Elias tried to refresh the team with the addition of defender Thaís Ferreira, flankers Isabela and Bruninha, midfielder Ary Borges and attackers Isa and Tainá Maranhão – Isabela, Tainá and Isa made their debut for the national team.
The changes had little effect in finding spaces to attack, but they helped Brazil contain the momentum of the Europeans. England continued to attack, but the best opportunity, a shot from Stanway, from midfield, stopped at the crossbar. After a long seven minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle and lots of celebration from the Brazilians, who celebrated the victory with the fans present in Manchester.
