Brazil initiated a dominant performance, securing a 2-1 victory against the Lionesses, despite playing the majority of the match with ten players after Angelina's red card. The friendly match, held at the City of Manchester Stadium, saw Brazil capitalize on a fast start, leaving England trailing early on.
The Lionesses, playing their first game since winning Euro 2025, faced a challenging start as Bia Zaneratto scored for Brazil in the 10th minute, followed by Dudinha's goal in the 18th minute. England's debutant goalkeeper, Khiara Keating, was unable to prevent the early goals. Just minutes later, Brazil's captain Angelina was shown a straight red card for a foul on Ella Toone, offering England a chance to claw their way back into the game.
England's Alex Greenwood struck the crossbar from the resulting free-kick, nearly halving the deficit. In the second half, England was awarded a penalty after Beth Mead was fouled in the box. Georgia Stanway converted the penalty in the 52nd minute, injecting hope into the Lionesses' comeback efforts. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, England was unable to find an equalizing goal. Stanway also hit the crossbar later in the game.
England manager Sarina Wiegman acknowledged Brazil's strong start and felt that her team had opportunities, but their decision-making could have been better. Wiegman also noted that the team "dominated the ball" after the red card.
The match drew a crowd of 37,460 fans to the City of Manchester Stadium, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Despite the defeat, the fans remained supportive, recognizing the celebratory nature of the occasion. The game served as an opportunity for England to experiment with new starters and forge new partnerships on the field. Maya Le Tissier played at center-back after some changes from Sarina Wiegman.
Brazil's coach lauded his team's resilience and tactical discipline in securing the victory despite being a player down. The result highlights Brazil's potential as a strong contender for the 2027 World Cup, which they will host.
Looking ahead, England will face Australia in their next friendly match on Tuesday, while Brazil will play Italy.
