Lionesses start ‘Homecoming Series’ with defeat to 10-player Brazil | OneFootball

England kicked-off their ‘Homecoming Series’ with a 2-1 defeat to Brazil at the City of Manchester Stadium this evening.

The visitors made a flying start and were 2-0 up after 18 minutes before being reduced to 10 players after Angelina was sent-off. A Georgia Stanway penalty got England back in the game but they could not get another goal to level the scores.

Brazil had the opening chance of the game and worked the ball well through to the goal, but it slipped just wide of the net and didn’t trouble debutant England keeper Khiara Keating.

Chloe Kelly had England’s first chance with a curling effort, but the ball fell perfectly into the arms of Brazilian keeper Lorena.

Bia Zaneratto then opened the scoring for the visitors. She managed to flick the ball past Jess Carter and her effort flew beyond Keating and into the bottom corner.

Maya Le Tissier did well on the right and tried to find Alessia Russo as the Lionesses searched for an equaliser, but the Brazilian defence cleared the ball. Ella Toone then had a shot on target, but the ball was easily gathered by Lorena.

Brazil soon doubled their lead when Toone gave the ball away. Dudinha picked up possession and capitalised towards the near post.

Three minutes later, Toone was played through on goal, but she was forced to the ground by Angelina and the Brazil captain was shown a straight red card.

Alex Greenwood’s free-kick hit the crossbar, frustrating the England players further, before Carter faced an open goal, but her effort went over the crossbar. Beth Mead then went close to scoring, but her effort was sent just wide before captain Keira Walsh almost pulled a goal back with a left-footed volley, but the ball went just over.

England were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute after Mead was caught in the box. Stanway stood up to take the spot kick and she very calmly sent the ball into the back of the net.

The Lionesses pushed hard in search of an equaliser. Stanway came closest with a shot from 15 yards, but the ball hit the crossbar as Brazil hung on for victory.

Next up for England is an international friendly against Australia at Pride Park in Derby on Tuesday night.