With a rout and hat-trick by Ary Borges, Brazil beats Panama in its debut at the Women’s World Cup

A Brazilian Team debuted on the right foot Women’s World Cup. This Monday, the team beat Panama by 4-0, in Group F, at the Hindmarsh Stadium, in Adelaide, Australia. Ary Borges, three times, and Bia Zaneratto scored the goals that gave Brazil victory.

Even without Marta in the starting line-up, Brazil dominated the match and, despite wasting good chances to score, started well on the path towards their first world title.

With the positive result, Brazil occupies the first place in Group F after the end of the first round of group games, with three points. France and Jamaica, having tied with each other, have one point each, and the French are in second position.

Now, the Brazilian team is back on the pitch against France, next Saturday. The clash is scheduled for 7 am (Brasília time), at the Lang Park Stadium, in Brisbane, Australia. The confrontation marks the duel between the two big favorites for the leadership of Group F, which also has Jamaica and Panama.

Brazilian pressure in the first stage

Brazil started the match piling up chances against the Panamanian team. In the first minute, Adriana received in depth and tried to cover up the opposing goalkeeper, who made a good save to avoid the goal of the Brazilian team.

Efficiently executing the lose-pressure, the Brazilians recovered the ball easily in the attacking field and created good opportunities to open the scoring. Brazil arrived well with two shots by Antônia and Bia Zaneratto, which put the Panamanian goal in danger. Panama, in turn, was waiting for a counterattack to try to surprise Brazil, but without success.

It was in the 19th minute that the Brazilian team opened the scoring. Debinha received a good ball on the left and crossed on the second post for Ary Borges to head in and score the team’s first goal in this Women’s World Cup. In her World Cup debut with the hopscotch, the midfielder put the team ahead.

With 30 minutes, another good arrival from Pia Sundhage’s team. Adriana played for Bia Zaneratto, who received it alone inside the area; however, she ended up advancing too much and only pouted the ball, facilitating Bailey’s defense. Five minutes later, Luana hit from outside the area and the Panamanian goalkeeper made another great save.

Ary Borges’ star shone again. With 39 minutes, Tamires made the cross from the left and Ary Borges appeared again to head. Goalkeeper Bailey defended, but on the rebound, the ball landed again at the feet of the midfielder, who only completed it for the goal. The Brazilian domain in the first stage of the confrontation was total.

END OF FIRST TIME!

Ary Borges scored both goals for Brazil in the first 45 minutes. We’re ahead! It’s break time!

🇧🇷 2×0 🇵🇦 | #ForFirstStar #BRAxPAN pic.twitter.com/mrmCbcHvRX

— Women’s National Football Team (@SelecaoFeminina) July 24, 2023

Brazilian team slows pace, but manages to defeat

The second half started with Brazil extending the scoreboard. In a beautiful move after just five minutes, Debinha countered with Adriana and the number nine crossed the area. Ary Borges received it on her own, and with just one touch back, she cleared the scoring and found Bia Zaneratto, free, who just hit the back of the net.

With 12 minutes of the second half, Panama reached the Brazilian goal for the first time. Baltrip-Reyes appeared on the left side and risked the shot, which went straight into the hands of goalkeeper Lelê.

To give the team a new breath and preserve athletes for the marathon games, Pia opted to exchange three players. Debinha, Antônia and Bia Zaneratto left the field for Geyse, Bruninha and Gabi Nunes to enter. With the victory well underway, however, the national team lowered the pace of the game a little.

With 20 minutes, Tanner received it in speed, but Lelê left the Brazilian area well to intervene and avoid the Panamanian goal.

With 25 minutes, Brazil scored the fourth to complete the rout. In a beautiful cross by Geyse, Ary Borges appeared once again as a surprise element in the penalty area and headed to the back of the Panamanian goal. It was at 30 minutes that the crowd started to sing louder and Marta entered the field in place of Ary, together with Duda Sampaio, who replaced Luana.

Dominant and with a goal difference that could be important later on in Group F, the Brazilian team asserted their favoritism and thrashed Panama with authority.

DATASHEET
BRAZIL 4 X 0 PANAMA

Local: Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide (Australia)

Data: July 24, 2023 (Monday)

Time: 8 hours (from Brasilia)

Referee: Cheryl Foster

Assistants: Michelle O’Neill and Franca Overtoom

Goals: Ary Borges, 19 minutes into the first half, Ary Borges, 39 minutes into the first half, Bia Zaneratto, 5 minutes into the second half, Ary Borges, 25 minutes into the first half

BRAZIL: Leticia; Antonia (Bruninha), Lauren, Rafaelle and Tamires; Ary Borges (Marta), Luana (Duda Sampaio), Kerolin and Adriana; Debinha (Geyse) and Bia Zaneratto (Gabi Nunes)
Technique: Pia Sundhage

PANAMA: Bailey; Castillo, Baltrip-Reyes, Pinzón, Vargas (Montenegro) and Jaén (Natis); Mills (Cedeños), Quintero (Salazar), González and Cox (Cedeno); Riley (Tanner)
Technician: ignacio quintana