SheBelieves Cup: USA edge Canada; Brazil beat Argentina | OneFootball

Exploria Stadium is home to some intense women’s football action during the international break.

For the 2021 SheBelieves Cup, the United States Women’s National Team is hosting Canada, Brazil and Argentina from 18 February to 24 February.

Here is how all the action unfolded on the first day of the tournament.

USA 1-0 Canada

Scorers: Lavelle 79′

The second match of the day had the top-ranked United States challenge rivals Canada (eighth) and it was a thriller.

Less than 10 minutes into the match, Canada was forced to make an early change as goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan pulled up with an injury.

In terms of attack, Carli Lloyd showed off her skills all first half and had plenty of attempts on goal alongside teammates Catarina Macário and Lynn Williams.

At the other end, Canada’s Janine Beckie had a chance to score from point-blank but couldn’t connect on the volley well enough.

With the match 0-0 at half, both sides tried to ramp up the energy coming into the second.

Canada’s Nichelle Prince played the ball to Beckie who had a second point-blank shot stopped. Later on, Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan also missed chances.

At one point the Canadians argued for a handball against Midge Purce but the referee was not convinced.

In the end, substitute Rose Lavelle’s low strike in the 79th proved to be the winner for the hosts.

Brazil 4-1 Argentina

Scorers: Marta 30′, Debinha 47′, Adriana 54′, Ferreira 82′; Larroquette 60′

The first match of the tournament saw eighth-ranked Brazil take on rivals Argentina (ranked 31st) at Exploria Stadium.

It took 30 minutes to break the deadlock and Brazil took the lead through none other than Marta.

The 34-year-old Orlando Pride forward scored her 109th international goal after slotting home a penalty past Solana Pereyra.

After the goal, Argentina worked the ball deeper looking to pressure their competitors but couldn’t make the most of their chances.

Coming into the second half, Brazil didn’t let up.

Two minutes after the match restarted, Debinha doubled the lead with a perfectly placed chip and minutes later Adriana added the third.

Argentina, however, remained persistent and were able to find a goal of their own through Mariana Larroquette’s header in the 60th minute.

Even with the pressure building up from Argentina, Brazil cemented the victory with a wonder of a strike from Geyse Ferreira in the 82nd minute.

The next round of SheBelieves Cup action will take place on 21 February.

The United States will challenge Brazil and Argentina will take on Canada.