Brazil Women's National Team Triumphs 2-1 Over England at Etihad Stadium
Brazil's women's national football team defeated reigning Euro champions England 2-1 at Etihad Stadium in a resilient performance despite playing with a player less for most of the match.
- • Brazil defeated England 2-1 in a women's friendly at Etihad Stadium.
- • Bia Zaneratto and Dudinha scored for Brazil; Georgia Stanway scored a penalty for England.
- • Brazil played with 10 players for about 70 minutes after Angelina's red card.
- • Brazil will play Italy next on October 28 in another friendly match.
Key details
The Brazilian women's national football team secured a thrilling 2-1 victory against England, the reigning European champions, in a friendly match held at Manchester's Etihad Stadium on October 25, 2025. The match attracted a sizable crowd of 37,450 spectators, highlighting the growing interest in women's football.
Brazil took an early lead with Bia Zaneratto scoring in the 8th minute, followed closely by Dudinha's goal, assisted by Zaneratto, within the first 17 minutes. However, the match took a challenging turn for Brazil when defender Angelina received a red card in the 21st minute, forcing the team to play with ten players for approximately 70 minutes.
Despite being down a player, Brazil demonstrated remarkable resilience and tactical discipline, with defenders Tarciane and Mariza playing crucial roles in containment. England managed to narrow the gap in the second half when Georgia Stanway converted a penalty awarded after Zaneratto fouled Bethany Mead. England intensified their pressure, nearly equalizing on several occasions, including a late effort by Stanway that struck the crossbar.
Coach Arthur Elias responded to England's offensive surge by making four defensive substitutions, focusing on defense to maintain the lead. Brazil also had offensive moments, with Duda Sampaio's long-range attempt narrowly missing the target early in the second half.
The Brazilian team successfully withstood England's onslaught and held on to their lead until the final whistle, celebrating a hard-fought victory against one of Europe's top sides. This win serves as a confidence boost ahead of Brazil's upcoming friendly against Italy on October 28 at the Estadio Ennio Tardini, setting the stage for the highly anticipated Finalíssima between the winners of Copa América and Eurocup.
According to CNN Brasil, "Na raça, Brasil vence Inglaterra, campeã da Euro, em amistoso feminino," Brazil showcased strong first-half dominance and remarkable grit despite the numerical disadvantage. Agencia Brasil emphasized the team's defensive solidarity, noting that the victory will elevate team morale. Agencia Esporte highlighted the electric atmosphere and Brazil's ability to manage the game under pressure.
In summary, Brazil's women's national team demonstrated skill, determination, and tactical acumen to defeat the Euro champions England 2-1 in a memorable friendly match at the Etihad Stadium.