World Cup Recap: Brazil Falls 2-1 to France

In Brazil’s second match of their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign, the team narrowly fell 2-1 to France. OL Reign midfielder Angelina was available for selection but did not make an appearance in the match. 

To start the match, France was on the front foot, leaving Brazil to do a lot of defending. The match went scoreless for 17 minutes, until France’s quick movement paid off and they opened the scoring of the match. Sakina Karchaoui lofted a diagonal ball into the box and Kadidiatou Diani used her head to cushion the ball for Eugenie Le Sommer, who made no mistake as she headed the ball to the back post to put France up 1-0. 

Around the 25-minute mark, Brazil started to shift int the attack and find the gaps in France’s formation. Adriana found a chance one on one with France’s goalkeeper, but her shot went wide and France retained their advantage all the way through halftime. 

The tempo of the second half was set quickly with both teams earning attacking opportunities. The definition of an end-to-end match, both teams fought to find the back of the net, neither side clearly dominating. 

Brazil struck first in the second half, thanks to the foot of Debinha. The team displayed great patience as they worked the ball around the attacking third of the field before finding Debinha in the box. Debinha took a perfectly controlled first touch before finding the back of the net from close range to level the score. 

The match continued to bring the action on both sides of the field as Brazil and France both made substitutions to bring fresh energy onto the field. In the 74th minute, Brazil had a close call as Kerolin went unmarked in the box but wasn’t quite able to direct the ball on target. 

In the 83rd minute of the match, France found the game winner, from the head of Wendie Renard. Selma Bacha served a corner kick into the far post and Renard was there to lose her mark and get the ball into the back of the net.  

Brazil continued to fight until the end of the match, forcing France to defend, but could not find an equalizer before the final whistle. With this loss, Brazil sits in third place in the Group F standings. 

NEXT UP FOR BRAZIL: Next Wednesday, August 2, Brazil is set to play its last group stage match, against Jamaica at 3:00 a.m. PT. The match will take place at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium and can be watched on FS1, Telemundo or Peacock.  

GROUP F STANDINGS: 

All four teams have played two matches. 

1. France (4 points, +1 goal differential) 

2. Jamaica (4 points, +1 goal differential) 

3. Brazil (3 points, +3 goal differential)