The England goalkeeper went from villain to hero, beating Brazil on penalties in the first-ever Women’s Final

After the Eurocup won in 2022, England added to its showcases the first Final story, beating Brazil, who held out until penalties after a 1-1 draw at Wembley. In the definition of the twelve steps, a shortcut of Mary Earps and an uneven shot from Rafaelle sealed a 4-2 European win.

Wembley, almost packed to bursting (83,132 spectators who did not beat the records of Barcelona and Real Madrid in 2022), responded to the call for the first edition of the Final, which in the men’s version was won by Argentina last year at same stage.

England, champions of Europe, and Brazil, of America, both in 2022, have measured the strengths of both continents and the Brazilian team has shown that the differences are shrinking and evening out thanks to a competitive gene with which he was able to survive until the penalty shootout thanks to a heartbreaking goal in the 93rd minute by Andressa.

Brazil entered the match as the ultimate ruler of its continent. For decades. The data supports a tremendous abuse of the selection he directs Pia Sundhage: Of the nine Copa Americas played, they won eight. Only Argentina broke Brazilian hegemony in 2006. It was an exception.

But globally, The World Cup has never been won by a South American team. The United States, with four out of eight possible titles, occupy the top step of the podium. Germany, with two trophies and Norway and Japan, with one, continue the list. Brazil, in 2007, came close to success with a second place and years later warmed up to try to give the bang at the World Cup to be held this summer in Australia and New Zealand.

The match against England, in addition to serving as a scale for assessing the state of football on both continents, also served Sundhage to delve deep into her memory and evoke a historic and nostalgic date for her.

The coach of Brazil she returned to the place where she became the first female footballer to score a goal at Wembley. He celebrated it in 1989, when he played for Sweden in a match against England they won 0-2. Almost 25 years later, he returns to sit on the bench in Brazil and protagonist of another historic event: the inauguration of the Final.

Sundhage it could not align itself with the historic Martha, who is recovering from a left rear hamstring injury. Even the England manager, Sarah Wiegmannhad to deal with an important accident: that of Beth Mead (runner-up in the Ballon d’Or behind Alexia Putellas), who is struggling to leave behind a torn cruciate ligament in her knee.

With that script, England completely dominated the first half. They disallowed Brazil from the first minute to the 45th minute. Absolutely cowed by the British approach and push, the South Americans completed a gray first 45 minutes in which they were at the mercy of their rival.

England amassed more chances until they got it right Ella Toonewhich at 22 minutes culminated in a combination between Lucy Bronze AND Georgia Stanway with a shot from the spot that did justice to the score.

Later he was able to expand it Lauren James -very insistent on the left wing-, but his lack of strength allowed Brazil to enter the locker room alive.

Sundhage’s changes (Andressa Alves for Lauren and Adriana for Zaneratto) had an effect on Brazil, who won in verticality and he abandoned his predictable game which became much more electric with which he caused England some concern.

The culmination of the Brazilian domination comes in the 59th minute, when Geyse unleashes a shot from outside the area that Earps saves with a providential dive. The ball hits the crossbar, goes for a corner and Canarinha’s best chance ends up in limbo.

Clearly, the direction of the wind had changed and Brazil’s new dominance looked set to last as long as their players’ physiques could withstand. He lasted another quarter of an hour and in that time he couldn’t even his balance. However, in one last desperate shotalready in the added time, Earps did not clear a ball wellhe left her dead at the feet of Andressa Alves and the equalizer was a bucket of cold water for England.

On penalties, the British team rallied and were more successful. Earps stopped Tamires the fourth shot of the series – after Leticia’s save on Toone – and Rafaelle crashes the next against the crossbar.

Chloe Kelly didn’t miss the decider and the Final found its first champion. The British team got its second title in history after the Eurocup he lifted in September 2022. Brazil showed race and ran as a candidate to fight in the World Cup.