Brazil beats women’s European champions England 2-1 in a friendly

In a gripping encounter at Manchester, Brazil triumphed 2-1 over England in a women’s football friendly on Saturday. This marked England’s first match since their triumphant retention of the Women’s European Championship. Despite being reduced to 10 players early in the game, Brazil showcased resilience and tactical prowess to secure the win. Bia Zaneratto and Dudinha struck early goals, putting Brazil in a commanding position. The turning point came in the 21st minute when Brazil’s captain, Angelina, was sent off, offering England a glimmer of hope. Georgia Stanway capitalized on a second-half penalty, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit. England’s spirited response saw Alex Greenwood and Stanway hitting the woodwork, but Brazil’s defense held firm. The match began with a celebratory atmosphere as England paraded their Euro 2025 trophy to a crowd of over 37,000. England will next face Australia on Tuesday, aiming to bounce back from this narrow defeat.