Brazil beat the United States in São Paulo, 2-1 | OneFootball

Continuing their preparations for next year’s World Cup, Brazil won the first of two matches against the United States on home soil. The comeback victory ended 2-1, with goals from Tainá Maranhão and Bia Zaneratto. Next Tuesday (9), the national team will play the second match at 9:30 p.m. in Fortaleza, at Arena Castelão.

The highlight of the first half was the chemistry between Bia Zaneratto, Tainá Maranhão, and Dudinha. The Brazilian trio stood out both in individual plays and in their passing combinations, keeping the United States defense on alert throughout the opening half.

But it was the American team that struck first. In the very first minute, Rodman won the ball back in the attacking half and passed it to Wilson. Wearing the No. 11 shirt for the U.S., she drove forward and took a shot from outside the box to score.

Brazil’s second match against the United States will be in FortalezaCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

In the 6th minute, Dudinha nearly equalized. Brazil’s No. 7 received the ball in the box after a fine individual play by Bia Zaneratto down the right, but shot over the crossbar.

The equalizer came in the 10th minute through Tainá Maranhão. The Palmeiras forward made the most of an excellent cross from Isabela and scored a beautiful header.

In the 13th minute, Brazil completed the comeback! Bia Zaneratto carried the ball from midfield into attack, broke into the box, and passed to Dudinha. Brazil’s No. 7 collided with the American center-back, and the ball fell kindly to an unmarked Bia. Brazil took the lead: 2-1.

In the final minutes of the first half, two moments could have changed the course of the match. In the 40th minute, Tainá Maranhão tried her luck from outside the box and nearly scored the third. Then, in the 44th, Lelê saved Brazil with two excellent one-on-one stops against U.S. No. 11 Wilson.

Tainá Maranhão scored Brazil’s first goalCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

Just like in the first half, the American team started by setting the pace with speed and intense pressing, making it difficult for the Brazilian players to play out from the back and exchange passes. To escape the American marking, Brazil relied on individual plays, especially from Bia Zaneratto.

And on one of those plays, in the 9th minute, Brazil’s No. 16 beat two defenders and tried her luck from long range. It was nearly the third! On the very next play, Lelê came to the rescue for Brazil. Hutton shot from distance, and the Brazilian goalkeeper made the save. The ball still hit the crossbar before going out for a goal kick.

Bia Zaneratto led Brazil’s victory over the AmericansCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

After the cooling break, head coach Artur Elias made several changes to the team that started the match. The substitutions are part of the rotation among the called-up players, as well as experiments ahead of the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in Brazil.

In the 45th minute of the second half, Brazil nearly scored a third goal. After winning the ball back, it fell to Gio Garbelini. The Atlético de Madrid forward tried a “chip” over goalkeeper McGlynn, but the ball lacked power and was easily saved by the American keeper.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.