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

Continuing its preparations for next year’s World Cup, Brazil won the first of two matches against the United States on home soil. The comeback victory was 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 shone in individual plays as well as in their passing combinations, keeping the United States defense on alert throughout the opening half.

Brazil’s second match against the United States will be in Fortaleza

But it was the American team that struck first. In the very first minute, Rodman won the ball in the attacking half and passed it to Wilson. The U.S. number 11 advanced and tried her luck from outside the box to score.

In the 6th minute, Dudinha nearly equalized. Brazil’s number 7 received the ball in the box after a great individual move by Bia Zaneratto on the right, but shot over the crossbar.

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

Then, 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 number 7 collided with the American center back, and the ball fell kindly for Bia, unmarked. Brazil took the lead: 2-1.

In the final minutes of the first half, there were two moments that 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 brilliant one-on-one stops against U.S. number 11 Wilson.

Tainá Maranhão scored Brazil’s first goal

Just like in the first half, the American team started by setting the pace with speed and strong marking, making it difficult for Brazil to play out from the back and combine passes. To escape the U.S. pressure, Brazil relied on individual plays, especially from Bia Zaneratto.

And on one of those plays, in the 9th minute, Brazil’s number 16 beat two defenders and shot from distance. It was nearly the third! On the very next play, Lelê came to Brazil’s rescue. Hutton tried from long range, and the Brazilian goalkeeper made the save. The ball even hit the crossbar before going out for a goal kick.

One of the standout players of the match, Bia Zaneratto scored the winning goal

After the cooling break, 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 with the 2027 World Cup in mind, which will be held in Brazil.

In the 45th minute of the second half, Brazil nearly got its third goal. After winning the ball back, it fell to Gio Garbelini. The Atlético de Madrid forward tried a little chip over goalkeeper McGlynn, but the ball came off weakly and was saved by the American keeper.

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