Brazil defeats Euro champion England in friendly women’s match

The Brazilian Women’s National Team defeated England, the current Euro Cup champion, 2-1 in a friendly match held at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. Bia Zaneratti and Dudinha scored for Brazil, while Stanway scored for the English. The match had 37,450 fans in attendance. The team, led by Arthur Elias, will return to the field on October 28 for a friendly against Italy at the Ennio Tardini Stadium in Parma, at 13:15 (Brasília time). The Italian team were semifinalists in the last Women’s Euro Cup.

Brazilian dominance in the first half. The initial half started with few chances created. The first dangerous opportunity for Brazil came at the 2nd minute. Bia Zaneratto found Ludmila and made a beautiful pass, but the striker’s shot was weak, going wide to the right of England’s goal. From then on, the Seleção began to occupy more of the opponent’s field and turned the pressure into an advantage. At the 8th minute, Dudinha assisted Bia Zaneratto inside the area, who didn’t give the goalkeeper a chance and opened the scoring. Brazilian dominance was evident, and the second goal was not long coming. At the 17th minute, the scenario reversed: after a good move, Bia passed to Dudinha, who finished precisely into the left corner, extending the lead.

The scenario changed for Brazil when Angelina was sent off at the 20th minute of the first half for holding Ella Toone and preventing a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The resulting free-kick from the Brazilian player nearly resulted in a perfect shot from Greenwood – hitting the crossbar. With one player less, the Seleção started to be pressed by the English and retreated into defense. Nevertheless, Arthur Elias’ team did not suffer much and controlled the end of the first half well. English pressure in the second half. The second half started complicated for Brazil. At the six-minute mark, Stanway scored England’s first goal from a penalty after Bia Zaneratto brought down Beth Mead inside the box. Goalkeeper Lorena guessed the right way but couldn’t prevent the English goal.