Photo Credit: Roberto Casimiro / SPP
In an unforgettable night in Fortaleza, Brazil, the U.S. women’s national team defeated Brazil 1-0 in the second of a two-game series in the country that will host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Americans’ ability to finish big chances remained, but they gained the vital experience of playing in a hostile environment in one of the most chaotic games they’ve played in recent memory.
Compared to the quality chances the U.S. created throughout the match, the actual score came from a big, lucky deflection. The biggest story for the U.S. will be that they remained calm and composed despite multiple sending-offs and a myriad of yellow cards, but Brazil will remember it for seeing four coaching staff and four players shown red.
In an odd moment around the 38th minute, the referee made Brazil’s head coach, Arthur José Ribas Elias, put a white pinnie over his shirt because the color was too close to the U.S. jerseys, according to the TNT announcers. After spinning his finger at the referee for the universal “crazy” sign, being shown yellow, and putting the pinnie on, he showed it off to the crowd and slow-clapped the referee for making him do it. It caused a stoppage that delayed his team taking a corner kick; when it was taken moments later, the home side put the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was called back for offside.
The first half featured plenty of stoppages for fouls, yellow cards, video reviews and injuries, but no goals. Brazilian Goalkeeper Lorena made sure of that in first half stoppage time, brilliantly stopping Sears and then Wilson point blank within seconds.
An incredible individual effort from forward Sophia Wilson was what finally broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute. Wilson was trapped against the endline but managed to evade multiple defenders and shoot off-balance from outside the box, getting a friendly deflection that wrong-footed the goalkeeper. The tally would’ve marked Wilson’s first time scoring in back-to-back international games since June/July 2024, but because of the deflection, the goal was credited as an own goal by defender Isabela.
The second half featured several high-quality missed opportunities for the Americans. Midfielder Rose Lavelle was skillfully played in behind and between the defense by Wilson in the 55th minute, but the Gotham midfielder put the shot just wide of the post. After the first goal was scored, the U.S. had a three-on-one opportunity with forward Trinity Rodman, Wilson and midfielder Olivia Moultrie, but Moultrie’s shot with only the goalkeeper to beat banged off the post. Rodman had a chance of her own in the 72nd minute, one-on-one, again within yards of the goal line, but Lorena made herself big to keep the scoreline close. Lorena was called on again in the 77th minute, saving a shot from Sears.
Moments later, in the 77th minute, multiple members of Brazil’s coaching staff were ejected from the game. That included the head coach, who was shown a second yellow card presumably for angrily kicking a ball away. Two assistants appeared to be sent off as well. A several-minute delay ensued while Elias didn’t leave the field, giving instructions to his players, particularly Marta.
The Brazilian legend then came in for appearance No. 212 alongside midfielder Kaylane Vieira, a 17-year-old making her senior international debut. It took less than five minutes for defender Emily Sonnett and Marta to reignite their longtime feud, prompting the referee to separate them. In the 89th minute, yet another Brazil assistant was shown red.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, a shove to Sonnett from forward Bia Zaneratto earned the Brazilian her second yellow of the night and a sending-off. She similarly delayed leaving the pitch while Brazil players and staff argued with the sideline referee. Four minutes later, defender Tarciane was shown straight red for intentionally elbowing Wilson in the face.
Not including Brazil’s coaching staff, the game saw four yellow cards and two red cards shown to the home team, plus five yellows to the visitors during play. The drama did not end with the final whistle, however. Two more red cards were handed out to Brazilian players after the game was called, midfielder Kerolin and forward Ludmila. Security with riot shields then came out to protect the referees. After the team was separated from the referees, midfielder Ary Borges made a point to calmly go over and shake the hands of the officiating crew, hugging a few of them.
Brazil also lost a key player to injury. Half an hour into the game, San Diego Wave attacker Dudinha was stretchered off the field after falling backward over Sonnett and landing awkwardly, visibly in pain. She has five goals and four assists in 13 regular season games for San Diego this season. Bia, who was later sent off, replaced her. In the second half of play, the broadcast showed her on the bench with crutches.
Even though the U.S. wasn’t able to put away the quality chances that kept coming, unable to put the final nail in the coffin, the team’s calm experience prevailed to see out the one-goal lead amidst the chaos. The victory marked the U.S.’s first win in Brazil since December 1997.
Notable to that experience, Hayes made six changes from the first match of the series, inserting forwards Michelle Cooper and Emma Sears, Lavelle, defenders Avery Patterson and Kennedy Wesley, and goalkeeper Claudia Dickey. It was the first time starting a backline that consisted of Wesley, Patterson, Sonnett and Emily Fox. The starting 11 was still relatively experienced, though, with an average of 54.1 caps heading into the match, just 3.5 fewer than the last match.
