The women’s soccer team will have to compete for third place in the SheBelieves Cup, a tournament held in the United States that serves as preparation for the Olympic Games in Paris, France. This Saturday (6), the Brazilians were defeated on penalties by Canada, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta, 4-2, after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, in one of the semifinals of the friendly competition.

Earlier, in the other semi-final, held at the same venue, the hosts beat Japan 2-1. The Asians will be Brazil’s opponents in the duel for third place in the SheBelieves Cup, while the Americans will decide the title with the Canadians. The clashes will take place this Tuesday (9), at the Lower.com stadium, in Columbus, at times to be defined.

Coach Arthur Elias sent Brazil out with debutant Tainá in goal, Antônia, Tarciane and Thaís Ferreira forming the back three, Ana Vitória and Yaya in midfield, Gabi Portilho and Yasmin on the right and left wings respectively, and an attacking trio with Ludmilla, Jheniffer and Priscila. The last-minute absence was midfielder Duda Sampaio, who suffered a sprained ankle.

The Brazilians started the duel by putting pressure on the Canadian ball and leaking two balls in the area, both with Tarciane, in the second and seventh minutes. Canada responded at nine o’clock, advancing to the left through Janine Beckie, whose shot was blocked by Antônia. Three minutes later, her compatriot Deanne Rose was marked on the right and centered to Beckie, who headed the ball wide.

With a balanced game, individuality made the difference. In the 20th minute, Ludmilla invaded the box from the left and was brought down by defender Jade Rose. Tarciane touched the middle of the goal, displacing goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan and opening the scoring for Atlanta.

The goal put Brazil back in a superior position in the match, quickly regaining possession and correcting the defensive positioning, leaving the Canadians in an offside position. In the 27th, Jheniffer receives the ball from Tarciane in the middle, escapes the marking and shoots from the edge of the box, but stops at Sheridan.

Four minutes later, the defense repelled Gabi Portilho’s cross from the left and Antônia, on the left, took the first opportunity by shooting near the left post. At 36, Priscila received it from Ludmilla on the left, took the ball with her right leg and struck it, always with danger. The Brazilians remained in the lead, but the advantage did not change before the break.

Brazil maintained its offensive posture in the second half. In the fourth minute, Gabi Portilho tried to cross from the left, the ball exploded in the defense and fell to Ana Vitória, who shot from the half-moon over the goal. With ten men, Canada gave itself a scare with a shot from midfielder Simi Awujo from the edge of the area that bounced off Tainá’s left post.

The green and yellow pressure did not cool down. In the 14th minute, Gabi Portilho was launched into the left area and rolled for Ana Vitória to strike from the half-moon. The ball deflected from the goal and was left in the small area for Yasmin to finish, but Sheridan made a superb save. Two minutes later, Ludmilla observed the goalkeeper in advance and almost surprised her with a cover, forcing Sheridan to avoid the goal with her fingertips.

Little by little, however, Canada took advantage of Brazil’s weariness – which made the first change (Jaqueline replacing Jheniffer) in the 26th minute – to gain space in the attacking half. At 31, Jessie Fleming took a free kick from the left and midfielder Vanessa Gilles, with a header, anticipated Tainá and equalized the score.

After the draw, Arthur made three changes, bringing on midfielder Angelina and forwards Cristiane and Marta (who had the crowd going wild in Atlanta) in place of Ana Vitória, Gabi Portilho and Ludmilla. The Brazilians pressed for the second goal, but without the same organization as before. In stoppage time, Yaya had one last chance, receiving it from Marta in the half-moon, turning and shooting low for the Sheridan defense.

Just before the penalty shootout, Brazil changed goalkeepers, with Tainá replacing Lorena, who had returned after a year out with a knee injury. The change had no effect, however. The Canadians even missed the first kick, with defender Ashley Lawrence sending it over the goal, but Marta missed the next shot, which was saved by Sheridan. In the third series of shots, Antônia hit the left post. Canada had perfect shots on the next few shots. It was up to midfielder Julia Grosso to decide the Canadian standings.

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