Sophie Downey’s analysis:
Thank you so much for joining me for this game which was a friendly in title only. Brazil’s quick start was England’s undoing and the comeback Queens could not overturn the result. All eyes will now turn to Tuesday where both teams will be in action again. Until then, have a read of the report. Have a good evening.
There was an earlier 2-1 result today too in a friendly which included two legends making milestones. You can read here:
It’s scary for Brazil’s future opposition that they have the likes of Kerolin, Marta and Debinha to bring into this team. The hosts of the 2027 World Cup look like they are going to be real contenders. Brazil next play Italy on Tuesday.
Maya Le Tissier played at centre-back when Sarina Wiegman made changes but fans will have to wait and see to find out if she did enough to switch from the right-back position, which is what Wiegman sees her as. England next play Australia on Tuesday.
England manager Sarina Wiegman told ITV: “I wouldn’t say something was missing. They started how we expected them too but when we found Russo [we were positive].
“There were so many opportunities and eve before the red card we skipped players and went behind. Then they got their red card and we then dominated the ball. They were tough in defence, we were sometimes a bit unlucky and in decision-making we could do better.”
It looked like Hannah Hampton was walking around the pitch with Khiara Keating, who looked disappointed. The result isn’t what she would have wanted for her England debut but the experience will be invaluable moving forward, particularly if she is a part of that World Cup squad in two years.
It’s a great result for Brazil who fielded a young team, leaving Marta at home for these matches in order to blood new talent. They have done exactly that and this result will fill them with confidence.
England’s Georgia Stanway told ITV: “It’s one of those games you are going to get battered and bruised. We are also not used to playing teams from different continent's so we have to get used to that.
“We’ve come here with a home crowd with a European trophy. We will continue to show our fans that.”
That was England’s first loss since their 2-1 defeat to France during the Euros.
Overall I think Khiara Keating had on okay game and this will do her so well for her future international career.
Full time: England 1-2 Brazil
Brazil were excellent out of the blocks and the early damage was enough to sink England, who this time could not pull off a comeback. A lot to learn from this game for the Euros holders but tonight is Brazil’s. A great performance and they clung on despite being down to 10 for a large period of this game.
90 + 7 min: Greenwood again the taker puts it into the box but it’s over the heads of her teammates. That might be it.
90 + 6 min: Greenwood sends it in but Agyemang can’t get to it. England do set up yet another attack and they win another corner. Time is ticking for England now.
90 + 5 min: Greenwood is again the taker and she gets it into the box but it’s well read and defended by Brazil. The Lionesses win it back and they pool forward once again with Toone winning a corner.
90 + 4 min: Keating collects a bouncing ball and sends England on their way, can they find an equaliser here? Not just yet but they do win a free kick after Ary Borges gets a yellow for a foul.
90 + 3 min: Ary Borges is taking a while to get back to her feet after the challenge but she is eventually back and ready to play.
90 + 1 min: Le Tissier makes a great run but she is then shown a yellow card after a clash with Ary Borges, a bit soft from the referee. There are arguments about it but the decision stands. There will be five minutes added.
89 min: A reminder if you are just joining us that Brazil have been down to 10 since around the 25 minute mark and have only conceded through a penalty. England have been throwing everything at them but the visitors have been resolute.
87 min: Agyemang thinks she has cleanly won the ball from Ary Borges but the referee sees it differently and Brazil win a free kick. Duda Sampaio sends it in but Keating reads it well to collect, it hasn’t been the best performance from England’s keeper but she has grown into this game.
86 min: Agyemang finds Beever-Jones but she can’t control it and the star is again offside. Brazil make another change with Dudinha off for Isa, another star making her debut.
84 min: Oh my word that would have been a screamer if it was an inch lower, Stanway takes a great strike from distance but it smacks the bar. Wow. That’s her final intervention with Agyemang on to a huge cheer.
83 min: Brazil have not had a lot of front foot ball in this half but when they do they are dangerous. They win a corner with the delivery a good one but Keating collects.
82 min: Bronze forces a shot as frustration continues for the hosts as the Chelsea player wallops it forward and out of play. It looks as though Agyemang is getting ready to come on and we all know her prowess for a late goal.
80 min: Brazil cover an England move really well as they rapidly get up the pitch. It comes into the box and drops to Beever-Jones who can’t covert, though I believe she was offside anyway. Over 37,000 at the Etihad.
78 min: I would have liked to have seen if this Brazil team would have pushed on for a bigger scoreline had the red card not happened. They had complete control at that point. But no cold feet moment and Brazil fight on to hold on to this scoreline.
76 min: Duda Sampaio is down injured here after a clash of knees with Bronze, the Brazil player came off worse but she is okay to continue.
74 min: Bronze makes a great run, the move started by Le Tissier, but the acute angle makes it tricky for her to put the effort on target and it hits the side netting. Lorena also did a great job of closing the defender down.
72 min: England are being patient with all of their attacks but it’s the lack of deadly final touches that are letting the hosts down. The Lionesses set up a brilliant platform with Brazil backing off of Morgan but her long range effort is wide. The visitors make another change with Ludmila off for debutant Maranhao.
70 min: Greenwood looks to be the one to take this again, it’s taken quickly down the right. It’s popped in to Russo but her header goes over the bar. That felt like the chance to equalise.
69 min: I know I keep saying it but the amount of pressure England are putting on Brazil’s shoulders, the visitors are performing so well with 10 on the pitch. Mead wins yet another free kick, the Arsenal player drawing so many fouls this evening.
67 min: The corner is taken by Mead which is headed by Beever-Jones but it’s out for another corner, this time on the other side. Greenwood takes it this time but it’s punched away by Lorena, it comes to Walsh but her attempt is wide.
66 min: Morgan makes a storming run through Brazil’s defence and she lays it off to Beever-Jones who takes a shot which is deflected out for a corner.
64 min: Here come the changes Luany for Isabela, Isa Haas off for Ferreira, Bia Zaneratto off for Ary Borges and Yasmim for Bruinniha. England also make two subs with Bronze and Beever-Jones on for Carter and Kelly. Those England changes mean Le Tissier moved to centre-back.
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62 min: Kelly takes the corner but Lorena plucks it out of the sky. England keep knocking on the door but Brazil, mainly through Tarciane, keep it firmly shut for now.
60 min: There’s a bit of a tussle here as Kelly keeps hold of the ball with Tarciane trying to get it off of her. A lot of player pile in but the referee handles it well and they all disperse. Those Brazil changes are coming but they just haven’t had the chance to come on yet, first England have a corner.
58 min: The Lionesses continue to push with the crowd in full voice now since that penalty but in open play Brazil have been largely impressive in defence. That may sound ridiculous with the red card and a penalty but they responded to the red really well. Hearing Brazil will be making a quadruple change, bear with while I madly type when they happen.
56 min: Despite the poor delivery England keep it alive, it comes to Mead whose header is collected by Lorena. But here come Brazil, Duda Sampaio takes a long range effort which is just wide.
54 min: England have the momentum now and they play it into the box but Stanway is crowded off the ball by Tarciane, who has played well for Brazil this evening. It’s out for a corner which Greenwood pops in but the delivery is poor.
A calm penalty as always from Stanway. Is this the start of a comeback? The last time Mead won a penalty for England it was that semi-final against Italy and we all know how that ended.
PENALTY! England 1-2 Brazil (Stanway 52)
Bia Zaneratto, who gave away the foul, is not happy but the penalty will be taken. Kelly had the ball but Stanway takes it, she is the usual taker, and she scores.
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51 min: Hang on here, England have won a penalty as Mead was fouled in the box. The Arsenal star looks in pain but on first glance it looked soft. She is fouled after the ball leaves her feet so maybe not one Brazil can protest.
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50 min: The ball pinballs around England’s box but nothing comes of it and Brazil counter. The threat troubles Carter enough to foul Dudinha which earns the defender a yellow card. Possession then switches between the teams.
48 min: Russo has been a menace all game, she is doing everything she needs to – England’s best of the pitch right now – and she wins a free kick. Carter finds Russo but she is then dispossessed.
47 min: England win an early free kick which they take quickly but they cough up possession.
Back underway: England 0-2 Brazil
Can the Lionesses retain their title of the comeback Queens and overturn this deficit? Or will Brazil continue on with their impressive performance? All to come. It looks like neither side have made any changes at the break.
Here’s a good half-time read for you:
Half-time: England 0-2 Brazil
Brazil got off to the perfect start with two quick fire goals produced from some footballing brilliance. Their captain Angelina was then sent off with commentary hinting it could be a way back in for England but the visitors have been thoroughly impressive and so the Lionesses trail at the break.
45 + 3 min: Tarciane wants a free kick after a challenge from Stanway in the box but it isn’t given, the Bayern Munich player attempted the shot but it’s way wide.
45 + 1 min: Greenwood delivers, it’s a good one but Kelly can’t turn it towards goal. A frustrating first half for the hosts, a brilliant performance from the visitors (aside from the red card). There will be five minutes added.
45 min: Mead wins another free kick after yet another foul on the Arsenal player.
43 min: How are we already in the 43rd minute? This game has gone so quickly. There’s more action now as Toone gives away a free kick. Brazil take it short but they do get it in the box with Ludmila ready to take a shot but she’s offside. England respond with an attack but Bia Zaneratto defends excellently to get a goal kick.
41 min: Mead does win a free kick moments later though with Greenwood’s delivery easily defended, the hosts are having absolutely no joy on the set pieces this evening.
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40 min: A word for Brazil who are managing to contain England with 10 players after that earlier red card. The Lionesses get into the box to try and get back into this game but Mead takes too long to rifle off a shot, she is challenged and she wants a penalty but it would have been a soft one if it was given.
38 min: Greenwood takes the set piece again who goes short to Kelly and she feeds Greenwood again. It looks like a training pitch move and it does not go well at all, it’s out for a goal kick.
37 min: There’s a challenge off the ball with Russo down and in some pain here but I think the Arsenal star is okay to continue. Yes she is back to her feet before an England corner.
36 min: Mead wins a free kick after Mariza fouls her. It’s Manchester City captain Greenwood over the ball once again with a good delivery but Brazil run it out of play for a throw in. The Lionesses, therefore, are forced to build from deep.
34 min: The communication between England players is just not sticking, they are not on the same page when they get attacking ball. Whereas, Brazil look as though they can read each other’s minds.
32 min: Brazil have weathered all of this chaos well as they haven’t conceded and they come forward looking for their third and they win a corner. Yasmim takes it and the delivery is good with Dudinha taking a shot but it’s wide.
30 min: Russo gets a yellow card for a foul which isn’t well received by the home crowd as Isa Haas hits the deck. But England continue to try and press for their first goal of the evening, a pass to Russo has too much on it though.
28 min: Greenwood takes the corner but it’s immediately cleared, not the best set piece I’ve ever seen.
27 min: Lorena is okay to continue, which is a great sign. You never want a player going off injured. The disruption has not dimmed England’s momentum as they win a corner.
26 min: England have a fire under them now as they set an attack again, Mead finds Toone but her attempt goes just wide. Lorena is now down with injury, grasping her right thigh after slipping.
25 min: Greenwood takes the free kick and she smacks the bar, what a beauty of an attempt. It bounces back in front of goal but Carter can’t quite turn it goalward.
23 min: There was no need for her to make that challenge as Toone’s chance was nowhere near a sure goal and also Brazil are 2-0 up and were in complete control. This may give England a way back in as they are about to take a free kick.
Toone was threaded the ball and it was just her and the goalkeeper left. Angelina looks to have clipped Toone from behind and she has gone down, the referee immediately went to her pocket. There is VAR here but the Brazil captain has walked off and Lorena is now captain. A silly tackle to make.
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RED CARD! England 0-2 Brazil (Angelina 21)
Denying a goal and the captain is gone.
20 min: Brazil have been impressive since the start of this game, so confident with the ball at their feet and not panicking when England come forward. A really calm and composed performance so far from this youthful team.
England lose it in the midfield and it’s passed to Dudinha, who hits the post and it rebounds in. This is far too easy for Brazil at the moment.
GOAL! England 0-2 Brazil (Dudinha 18)
That was a defensive mess.
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17 min: Greenwood attempts a shot from far out as England continue to add pressure but Lorena reads it perfectly to collect.
16 min: A lovely move from England as they threaded it through the team. Stanway popped a great ball in but some amazing defensive work from Angelina sees it out for a corner. The set piece is well defended once again from the South Americans.
14 min: It is all Brazil at the moment with all of the momentum with the South American side as Angelina’s strike goes wide. Something I haven’t mentioned is that this is the first England game under Sarina Wiegman where she has not had assistant boss Arjan Veurink as he is now the Netherlands head coach.
12 min: It really is quite a show of the times we are in that I am now worried about the comments Keating might be getting on social media. Yes her position could have been better but the defensive structure also failed England.
Brazil crack England’s defence and Bia Zaneratto pops a beauty of a strike past Keating, the goalkeeper no way near close to saving it.
GOAL! England 0-1 Brazil (Bia Zanaratto, 10)
There it is.
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9 min: Greenwood takes the free kick and it’s a good delivery, floated to the edge of the box but Brazil pounce and clear. Yasmim then wins a free kick for Brazil by the halfway line which they take quickly but it’s well defended by England’s Morgan.
8 min: Kelly pops a great cross into the box but no one is in position to receive it and Lorena again clears. Play runs through Brazil’s team and a cross is popped in but Keating plucks it out of the air. It’s all action as now England have won a free kick.
6 min: England try to hit back with an attacking threat of their own but the pass to Toone has too much on it and Lorena reads it well, who comes out and kicks it clear. Renditions of Sweet Caroline have already started at the Etihad, this may be an unpopular opinion but that song is so annoying.
4 min: Brazil have the first attacking platform but it ends with a handball outside of the box so England clear their lines. But it is not long until Brazil are back on the front foot and Ludmila gets in a great position but her attempt drags wide.
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2 min: A good test for Keating today and it feels crazy to me that she is still only 21-years-old. She was incredible for Manchester City a few seasons ago, if she finds that form she will be a mainstay in goal for England for years to come. Hampton’s injury has presented the City star with an opportunity and Lionesses fans will be hoping she takes it with both hands.
Kick-off: England 0-0 Brazil
Here we go then. The Euros winners against the Copa America holders. This is set to be a thriller.
The players are emerging at the Etihad and the anthems will soon follow. All the action in this friendly to come in front a stacked crowd.
There is another name that is not be on the England team sheet today and that is the defender Millie Bright. She announced her international retirement before this camp. Read more about it here:
The Celebrity Traitors is a huge hit in the UK at the moment and it’s got me thinking who would be a good traitor in women’s football? I think Lucy Bronze would be good, of course she played the entire Euros without us knowing her leg was broken. What are your thoughts? Email me and let me know.
In another match which saw a goodbye to a legend, the USA lost 2-1 to Portugal. Have a read of the action:
There has also been a momentous game between Wales and Australia today. For Wales the legend Jess Fishlock played her final international match, while for the Matildas Sam Kerr returned after over 720 days. The result saw Australia come away with a 2-1 win, read all the action:
Our weekly newsletter Moving the Goalposts focused on Brazil in the latest edition, have a read to learn more about to expect from them this evening:
Here’s Brazil’s team news for this evening. They have gone with youthful talent, more on that shortly.
Brazil: Lorena, Mariza, Isa Haas, Tarciane, Yasmim, Angelina, Duda Sampaio, Luany, Ludmila, Dudinha, Bia Zaneratto.
Bench: Claudia, Carlinha, Thais Ferreira, Bruniniha, Thais S, Gutierres, Jheniffer, Calhau, Isabela, Ary Borges, Lais Estevam, Maranhao, Isa.
If Lucy Bronze comes off of the bench against Brazil she will become the out-in-out fourth most capped Lioness. She currently is tied with Alex Scott with 140 caps.
Maya Le Tissier starts after a lot of talk in the build-up saying she should be in the starting XV for England. Here’s Suzy Wrack’s take on the situation:
The team news is in. Maya Le Tissier starts for England, while Khiara Keating makes her England debut in goal.
England: Keating; Le Tissier, Greenwood, Walsh, Carter, Morgan, Mead, Stanway, Russo, Toone, Kelly.
Bench: Bronze, Moorhouse, Kendall, Charles, Beever-Jones, Agyemang, Kearns, Naz, Blindkilde-Brown, Baggaley, Fisk, Hinds
I am still on the hunt for the Brazil team news but as soon as I have it I will share it with you.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the international friendly between England and Brazil. The team news will drop soon but there are some stars we know to not be featuring for the Lionesses this evening.
The goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has stayed in England camp but has picked up a small elbow injury and so will not play this evening. Jess Park has withdrawn from camp because of a delayed concussion which has opened up an opportunity for Tottenham’s Jess Naz. Regular captain Leah Williamson is also out with a knee injury with Lauren Hemp and Lauren James also ruled out.
The last time the two nations played one another was in 2023 for the first Finalissma which England won on penalties at Wembley. Today’s game will take place at the Etihad, the first time the Lionesses have played there since 2005.
So keep your eyes peeled for Sarina Wiegman’s starting line-up and we will also bring you all you need to know prior to kick-off at 5.30 GMT.
