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Sunday, October 26, 2025

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England beaten by 10-player Brazil

England 1 (Stanway pen 52) Brazil 2 (Bia Zaneratto 9, Dudinha 18)

Brazil dashed England’s hopes of a triumphant return since their EUROs triumph, clinching a 2-1 victory in the Lionesses’

first outing since the tournament at the Etihad Stadium.

Brazil struck early, with Bia Zaneratto capitalising on a loose ball at the edge of the penalty area to fire into the bottom right corner just nine

minutes in. The visitors doubled their lead when a midfield error allowed Dudinha to curl a sublime effort from the left side of the box, using the outside of her boot to devastating effect.

England’s fortunes shifted when Brazil’s Angelina was sent off three minutes later for a foul, leaving the South Americans with ten players. Despite the numerical advantage, the Lionesses struggled to break through in the first half. However, they responded swiftly after the interval, with Georgia Stanway converting from the penalty spot after Beth Mead was fouled in the box by Bia.

The Lionesses pushed for an equaliser, with Stanway striking the crossbar late on, but Brazil’s resolute defending held firm, securing the win.

England’s rejigged defence, hampered by injuries and with Khiara Keating making her debut in goal, was exposed early on. Ludmila squandered an early chance, firing wide after a long ball split the backline—a warning of Brazil’s intent. The visitors then sliced through England’s central defence twice with ease, as Bia and Dudinha combined brilliantly.

Bia’s opener came from clever movement off Dudinha’s shoulder, while the second goal saw Ella Toone’s misplaced pass punished as Bia set up Dudinha for a clinical finish.

The red card to Angelina, awarded for a foul on Toone and deemed to be denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, swung momentum towards England. Alex Greenwood struck the crossbar from a free kick, and Jess Carter missed a golden opportunity from the rebound. Toone also went close, skewing a shot just wide as England ramped up the pressure.

After the break, Mead’s driving run earned the penalty that Stanway coolly dispatched, reigniting hopes of a comeback. Substitute Aggie Beever-Jones nearly made an immediate impact, her volley deflected for a corner, while Esme Morgan’s forward surges troubled Brazil’s defence. Stanway’s late strike against the woodwork epitomised England’s frustration as they ran out of time.

The Lionesses will now look to regroup and address defensive frailties ahead of their next challenge, when they take on Australia on Tuesday night at Pride Park.

England: Khiara Keating, Alex Greenwood, Esme Morgan, Jess Carter (sub Lucy Bronze 63mins), Maya Le Tissier, Georgia Stanway (sub Michelle Agyemang 83mins), Keira Walsh, Chloe Kelly (sub Aggie Beever-Jones 63mins), Ella Toone, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo. Subs not used: Sophie Baggaley, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Niamh Charles, Grace Fisk, Taylor Hinds, Missy Bo Kearns, Lucia Kendall, Anna Moorhouse, Jessica Naz.

Brazil: Lorena, Yasmim (sub Bruninha 63mins), Mariza, Isa Haas (sub Thaís Ferreira 62mins), Tarciane, Angelina, Duda Sampaio, Dudinha (sub Isa 85mins), Bia Zaneratto (sub Ary Borges 63mins), Luany (sub Isabela 62mins), Ludmila (sub Tainá Maranhão 72mins). Subs not used: Amanda Gutierres, Laís Estevam, Thaís Lima, Jheniffer, Carlinha, Vitória Calhau, Cláudi.