San José (United States) (AFP) – An injury-time goal from substitute Amanda Gutierres gave Brazil a 2-1 friendly victory and their first win over the United States in more than a decade in San Jose on Tuesday. In the second of two international friendlies between the two finalists of last year’s Olympic women’s football tournament, Brazil bounced back from a 2-0 loss on Saturday with a gritty display to down the four-time world champions.
United States coach Emma Hayes rang the changes from the side that beat Brazil in Los Angeles, opting for a youthful starting line-up which boasted an average of just 17.9 caps per player. That gamble looked to have paid off after just 34 seconds when the hosts took the lead following a lightning counter-attack launched by Alyssa Thompson’s dribble from inside her own half into the Brazilian penalty area.
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Brazil’s defence scrambled to snuff out the danger from Thompson, but after goalkeeper Natascha Honegger failed to secure the loose ball, Catarina Macario was on hand to poke home from the edge of the six-yard box. Brazil hit back in the 24th minute with a superbly worked goal from Kerolin. Lively winger Giovana Queiroz burst forward down the left flank and slipped a pass into the feet of Kerolin in space.
The 25-year-old Manchester City forward advanced into the penalty area and curled a superb right-foot shot beyond the dive of US goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn. Brazil, who had not beaten the USA since a friendly win in Brasilia in 2014, looked like they had missed their chance to break the deadlock late in the game after Gabi Portilho and Luany both missed openings in the closing minutes.
But deep into stoppage time, the 2027 World Cup hosts launched one last counter-attack which culminated with Luany squaring to an unmarked Gutierres who tucked away the finish from close range.
© 2024 AFP
