World Cup veterans Brazil recorded their second win of this year’s tournament to secure their place in the last 16 with a narrow victory over competition debutants Spain. The South Americans are only the second team so far to win both their first two fixtures with the other side being current world champions Japan.
Andressa Alves netted the only goal of the game, but there was no lack of attacking action as both teams squandered opportunities in what should have been a higher scoring affair.
Spain had the first chance of the game, Alexia Putellas playing a great through ball to Natalia of Arsenal Ladies who was one-on-one with the keeper but scuffed her effort wide.
In a fairly quiet first half Brazil scored with just a minute left on the clock. 23-year-old Rafaelle played a fantastic chip pass to Alves, whose deft flick sailed over the helpless Ainhoa in the Spanish net but looked to be cleared by Celia Jimenezthen on the line. Unfortunately the defender’s heroic sliding clearance could only find the feet of Alves who made no mistake in finding the back of the net second time around to give Brazil the lead.
Alves looked bright all game and could have doubled her side’s advantage in the second half but her shot hit the side netting, before 20-year-old Andressa fired a shot that was acrobatically saved by Ainhoa. Record breakers Formiga and Marta then linked up to create a chance but the final effort was agonisingly wide of the post.
Spain admirably fought back and had several golden opportunities to capatilise on their opponent’s lack of clinical finishing. First of all Prascila Borja put in a great cross from the right but Natalia couldn’t get enough contact on the ball to guide it goal bound, before a deep free kick was poorly dealt with by the Brazilian defence leaving Veronica Boquete to shoot in a dangerous area.
The BBC Women’s Football of the Year nominees’ effort was deflected away from goal but the ball fell kindly to Irene Paredes who beat Brazil goalkeeper Luciana with her rasping effort but couldn’t beat the woodwork as her shot cannoned off the post and out to safety.
The final opportunity of the match fell to the leaders who should have wrapped the game up after Marta broke quickly with the ball and set up Raquel Fernandes in a promising position, but her touch was too heavy and the keeper was able to come out and smother the danger.
The result means Spain must now get something out of their final game against South Korea, and hope Brazil beat second placed Costa Rica, to give them a chance of getting out of the group stages.
