Women's national team kick off 2026 with a thrashing of Costa Rica | OneFootball

Number 10, Kerolin kicked off the Brazilian National Team's goal season against Costa RicaCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

The Brazilian Women's National Team thrashed Costa Rica 5-2 on Friday night (27) in their 2026 season debut at the Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium in the Costa Rican city of Alajuela. Jheniffer (2), Kerolin, Tainá Maranhão, and Adriana secured Brazil's first victory of the year.

The result maintained Brazil's 100% success rate in the six matches against La Tricolor and highlighted the offensive strength of the team led by coach Arthur Elias. There are six victories, with 23 goals scored and three conceded.

Jheniffer celebrates a goal scored by the National Team against Costa RicaCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

The Match

Brazil scared the Costa Ricans before five minutes. In an unassuming manner, Kerolin crossed low into the area. Jheniffer attempted the finish but didn't hit it cleanly. On the rebound, Mariza tried, but her shot was blocked. If the finishes hadn't been blocked, Brazil would have posed a great threat to their opponents.

Kerolin opened the scoring at ten minutes with a stunning goal. She received a beautiful assist from Duda Sampaio and, with skill, lobbed the goalkeeper Solera.

The goal served as an incentive for the National Team, which increased the lead four minutes later. Tainá Maranhão, who had been getting the better of her runs down the left flank, passed to Jheniffer, who struck a beautiful placed shot.

Tainá Maranhão celebrates her first goal for the Brazilian National Team; she terrorized Costa Rica's defense during the gameCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

Maranhão, shortly after, made a great individual play and almost scored a stunning goal. The ball, however, went close to the post and deserved to go in for the beauty of the play. But what didn't happen at 17 minutes came at minute 27. She dribbled the defender and finished low to score her first goal for the Brazilian National Team.

Brazil managed to score the fourth goal before the end of the first half. Tainá Maranhão again made a difference down the flank. The play was invalidated for offside.

In added time, Herrera sprinted at speed in a quick counterattack. Recovering in the play, Mariza disrupted the number 7's finish with a sliding tackle, and it was up to Thais Lima to make a great save and prevent the home team's first goal. There was still time for Bia Zaneratto to attempt a shot from the edge of the area.

Returning to the second half, Duda Sampaio, with skill, placed the ball on Jheniffer's head, whose header lacked power and direction. In practically subsequent plays, Kerolin had an opportunity face to face with the goalkeeper and finished on the keeper. Then, Jheniffer was in the right place at the right time but lacked the necessary reaction power to perceive the chance inside the area and shoot.

Costa Rica reduced the deficit six minutes into the second half. Chinchilla received a pass, Thais Lima tried to intercept and was dribbled. Facing an empty goal and from outside the area, she hit the net. In the 21st minute, Chinchilla pressured Thais, stole the ball, and scored.

Highlight of the match, Tainá Maranhão made a difference again and won a penalty. Adriana converted the kick.

Near the 40-minute mark, a shot from Jheniffer required a good save from goalkeeper Solera, and Tamires posed a threat with a header.

Despite a second half in which Brazil struggled with the home team's improvement in the match, the Amarelinha turned the victory into a rout with Jheniffer's goal, who received a cross from Adriana and, like a natural center forward, pushed it into the net. End of the game: Brazil 5 x 2 Costa Rica.

Adriana celebrates a penalty goal against Costa RicaCredits: Lívia Villas Boas / Staff Images / CBF

History Made

At 17 years, ten months, and 16 days, Thais Lima became the youngest goalkeeper to debut for the Brazilian Women's National Team. She surpassed former goalkeeper Mayla by three days, who took the field in the 14-0 thrashing over Trinidad and Tobago at 17 years, ten months, and 19 days, on July 14, 2000.

At 17 years, ten months, and 16 days, Thais Lima became the youngest goalkeeper to debut for the Brazilian Women's National TeamCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

Schedule

Next Wednesday (4), the Amarelinha faces Venezuela at the Mexican Football Federation's Training Center in Toluca, Mexico, at 6 pm (Brasília time), and concludes this first FIFA Date of the year with a friendly against Mexico on March 7, at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, in Mexico City, at 8 pm (Brasília time).

Lineup

BRAZIL: Thais; Fê Palermo (Bruninha) (Luany), Mariza, Thais Ferreira, and Tamires; Tainá Maranhão, Duda Sampaio (Brena), Kerolin (Gabi Zanotti), and Jaque (Ana Vitória); Jheniffer and Bia Zaneratto (Adriana). Coach - Arthur Elias.

Starting lineup of the Brazilian Women's National Team for the friendly against Costa RicaCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

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