Brazil broke a ten-year curse against the Americans
Duas das maiores potências do futebol feminino mundial se reencontram neste sábado na Neo Química Arena, em São Paulo, carregando consigo décadas de rivalidade e uma história recente que pende para o lado brasileiro. A vitória do Brasil por 2-1 em abril de 2025 encerrou um jejum de mais de dez anos contra as americanas — mas os Estados Unidos responderam com o ouro olímpico de Paris. Esses dois jogos são mais do que amistosos: são capítulos de um diálogo contínuo sobre quem define o futebol feminino nas Américas.
- O Brasil entra em campo com a rara confiança de quem quebrou um tabu recente, mas sabe que as americanas nunca ficam devendo resposta por muito tempo.
- Marta, símbolo vivo do futebol feminino brasileiro, chegou à semana de jogos com inchaço na coxa esquerda, gerando apreensão sobre sua participação.
- Após retornar aos treinos na quinta e sexta-feira, a veterana foi incluída na lista, mas o técnico Arthur Elias optou pela cautela e a deixou no banco de reservas.
- Com 18 das 26 convocadas atuando no exterior, o desafio de Elias é costurar coletividade em pouco tempo — a seleção é global, mas precisa jogar como uma.
- O duelo de sábado abre uma série dupla que servirá de termômetro para ambas as equipes antes de seus próximos compromissos no calendário internacional.
A seleção brasileira feminina recebe os Estados Unidos neste sábado, às 18h30 (horário de Brasília), na Neo Química Arena, em São Paulo, no primeiro de dois amistosos consecutivos. O segundo confronto está marcado para terça-feira, na Arena Castelão. A rivalidade entre as duas equipes é uma das mais ricas do futebol feminino mundial, e o momento atual lhe confere ainda mais tensão.
Em abril de 2025, o Brasil venceu as americanas por 2-1 — resultado que encerrou um jejum de mais de uma década. Mas os Estados Unidos têm sua própria resposta recente: foram elas que subiram ao topo do pódio nos Jogos Olímpicos de Paris 2024, derrotando justamente o Brasil na final por 1-0. Os dois jogos desta semana são, portanto, mais um capítulo dessa conversa ininterrupta entre as maiores potências do hemisfério.
O técnico Arthur Elias convocou 26 jogadoras para a série, sendo 18 delas baseadas no exterior — retrato fiel da internacionalização do futebol feminino de elite. A principal dúvida da semana foi Marta: a veterana chegou ao período de preparação com inchaço na coxa esquerda, mas retornou aos treinos com o grupo na quinta e na sexta-feira. Mesmo assim, Elias preferiu preservá-la, e ela iniciará o jogo no banco.
O Brasil vai a campo com Lelê no gol; Isabela, Thaís Ferreira, Mariza e Isa Haas na defesa; Duda Sampaio, Angelina e Kerolin no meio; e Dudinha, Bia Zaneratto e Tainá Maranhão no ataque. Os Estados Unidos, comandados por Emma Hayes, respondem com Mandy McGlynn; Emily Fox, Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett e Gisele Thompson atrás; Trinity Rodman, Lindsey Heaps, Claire Hutton e Alyssa Thompson no meio; e Sophia Wilson e Lily Yohannes na frente.
Para o Brasil, a partida é uma chance de confirmar que a vitória de abril não foi um acidente, mas o início de uma nova fase. Para as americanas, é a oportunidade de reafirmar sua hegemonia em uma rivalidade que ainda não tem dona definitiva.
Brazil's women's national team will take the field Saturday evening at Neo Química Arena in São Paulo to face the United States in the first of two consecutive friendlies. The match kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Brasília time, with a second encounter scheduled for Tuesday at Arena Castelão. It is a fixture that carries weight in women's football—these two programs have defined each other's recent history, and the context matters.
The last time they met, in April of 2025, Brazil won 2-1 in an amistoso. That victory ended a drought that had stretched beyond a decade. The Americans, though, hold the more recent major trophy: at the 2024 Paris Olympics, they defeated Brazil 1-0 in the final to claim gold. These matches are part of the ongoing conversation between the two strongest women's programs in the hemisphere, each testing itself against the other.
Coach Arthur Elias has called up 26 players for the two-game series. The squad is distributed across continents—eight players are based in Brazil, while 18 ply their trade abroad. This is the modern shape of elite women's football: talent scattered across leagues, gathered periodically for national duty.
Marta, the veteran midfielder and one of Brazil's most recognizable players, was included in the squad but arrived as a question mark. During the week leading up to Saturday's match, she developed swelling in her left thigh. By Thursday and Friday, she had returned to full training with her teammates, a positive sign. Still, Elias has chosen to start her on the bench, a cautious approach to managing a player who, while recovered enough to participate, may not yet be at full readiness.
Brazil's starting eleven reflects Elias's selections: Lelê in goal; Isabela, Thaís Ferreira, Mariza, and Isa Haas across the back line; Duda Sampaio, Angelina, and Kerolin in midfield; and Dudinha, Bia Zaneratto, and Tainá Maranhão in attack. The United States, under the direction of Emma Hayes, will counter with Mandy McGlynn in net; Emily Fox, Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett, and Gisele Thompson in defense; Trinity Rodman, Lindsey Heaps, Claire Hutton, and Alyssa Thompson in the middle and attacking midfield; and Sophia Wilson and Lily Yohannes leading the line.
The match will be broadcast on SporTV and streamed on GeTV via YouTube, making it accessible to viewers across Brazil. What unfolds on Saturday will offer both teams a chance to assess their form and chemistry as they prepare for whatever lies ahead in their respective calendars. For Brazil, it is an opportunity to build on the momentum of that April victory and prove it can sustain success against the sport's most consistent power. For the United States, it is a chance to respond after that loss and reassert dominance in a rivalry that has defined women's football at the highest level.
Notable Quotes
Marta presented swelling in her left thigh during the week but managed to train with the rest of the team Thursday and Friday— Match report
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does this match matter beyond the scoreline? These are friendlies, after all.
Because Brazil broke a ten-year curse against the Americans just last April. That 2-1 win was significant—it proved something had shifted. Now they're testing whether that was real or a one-off.
And the Americans? They won the Olympics gold medal. Shouldn't that be enough?
Gold medals are about one moment. Friendlies are about consistency. Hayes is trying to see if her team can recalibrate after that loss. Both programs are always measuring themselves against each other.
What's the story with Marta on the bench?
She had swelling in her thigh. She trained this week, so she's not injured in the way that would keep her out entirely. But Elias isn't taking chances. She's there if needed, but Saturday isn't the moment to push her.
Is that a sign Brazil is confident, or cautious?
Both. You don't rest your best player unless you believe the team can compete without her. But you also don't risk her in a friendly. It's the balance every coach has to strike.
What should we watch for?
How Brazil's midfield controls the game without Marta's experience. And whether the Americans can impose their rhythm early. The first twenty minutes will tell you a lot about where both teams actually are.