A disastrous start saw England lose 2-1 to 10-man Brazil in their first match since triumphing at Euro 2025 in the summer.
There was celebration in the air as Sarine Wigman’s Lionesses paraded their European Championship trophy ahead of this friendly – but the mood quickly soured when South American champions Brazil went 2-0 up inside 20 minutes.
With Liam Williamson and Hannah Hampton injured, plus Millie Bright retiring and Lucy Bronze on the bench, it was a makeshift England defense and it showed. There was a warning when Ludmila broke through on goal inside three minutes and fired wide – but England were not let off five minutes later.
Beatriz Zaneratto put Brazil ahead at the Etihad Stadium
England were sloppy in midfield possession and Beatriz Zaneratto was able to get past the challenge and put debutant Chiara Keating in the Lioness goal. It was a similar story with the second goal, as Ella Toone gave the ball away, allowing Zanerat to equalize for Dudinja, who put it over the near post.
England boss Wigman was clearly fuming at the start, but her team were almost immediately given a lifeline when Toone ran through on goal, only to be brought down by Brazil captain Angelina, who was given her marching orders.
That unsettled Brazil a bit as Alex Greenwood hit the crossbar with a free-kick, but apart from Jess Carter and Toone missing good chances in the box, the Lionesses barely threatened.
England were given more help from the officials after half-time as Beth Mead went down under a Zanerat challenge long after the Lionesses wing-centre shot into the area. The referee took her time before awarding a penalty, which Georgia Stanway converted to halve the deficit.
Georgia Stanway pulled one back for England from the penalty spot
And although England had chances through Stanway who hit the bar, and Alessia Russo crossed through plus substitutes Aggie Beever-Jones and Luci Bronze from close range, Brazil coped relatively easily down one man – although Wiegman brought on super-sub Michelle Agiemang late on.
There is work to be done for England before they take on Brazil at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
More to come…