Eight red cards were shown to Brazil players and staff as they lost 1-0 in an ill-tempered friendly with the United States on Tuesday, which Lindsey Heaps described as “a whole different sport.”
Sophia Wilson’s shot deflected in off Isabela Chagas for the only goal in Fortaleza, as the USA bounded back from a 2-1 defeat to the same opponents on Saturday.
The USA’s victory was their first on Brazilian soil since 1997, but the match was overshadowed by chaotic scenes in the closing stages.
Brazil saw forward Bia Zaneratto sent off for two bookable offences – the second being a push on Emily Sonnett – before Tarciane was dismissed for violent conduct following an elbow on Wilson.
Kerolin saw red after the final whistle for foul and abusive language, while Ludmila received the same punishment for sarcastically applauding referee Paola Cebollada Lopez.
Brazil head coach Arthur Elias, as well as three members of his backroom team, had already been shown red cards earlier in the second half, with the game also containing a total of 11 yellow cards.
Police in riot gear came onto the field at full-time to restore order, and despite a statement victory for the USA, Heaps was left with a sour taste.
“I hope that’s not what a World Cup final looks like, and I hope that there’s more football being played,” Heaps said.
“I hope that it’s the beautiful game again because, for me, that’s a whole different sport.
“I think this [Brazil] is a really good team with a lot of quality, but I just don’t think the game should be played in that type of way.”
Big win to end June camp pic.twitter.com/mbRAKa5ugS
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 10, 2026
Brazil will serve as hosts for next year’s Women’s World Cup, with the USA set to face El Salvador in the first round of the CONCACAF W Championship – which also serves as the North American qualification process – in November.
“To say that it was a game of battles, that’s one way to describe it,” boss Emma Hayes said. “To come and play in Brazil and win in Brazil, I think, is extremely tough.
“The crowd create the conditions to make it difficult, but this is what it is, and what I am certain of is that when the World Cup comes here next year, there will be very clear behavioural expectations for all of us, which there should be. It’s a global game.
“We are excited, if we qualify, to come back here because, as I have said many times, I have a lot of respect for Brazil and it was an experience I will never forget.”