Brazil ekes out 2-1 victory in friendly, halting Canadian women's 5-game win streak
CBC
Canada's national women's soccer team lost in disappointing fashion on Tuesday, but manager Bev Priestman saw a lot of positives in her team's performance.
Ana Vitoria scored in stoppage time to lift hometown Brazil to a 2-1 win in the international friendly, snapping Canada's five-game win streak and ending its 2022 campaign on a sour note.
The goal came on a scramble in front of the net after a Brazilian corner kick in the 90th minute. Although Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan stopped an initial header on the set piece, it ricocheted back into play and Vitoria toed it over the goal-line.
"They'll learn from that. That'll never happen again," Priestman said from Sao Paulo. "I think the nature in which we lost, obviously, it sucks to end the year like that.
"Overall, I think we had some bright spells. … We could have punished them more than what we did. We had some clear-cut chances."
The Canadian national women's team had won its previous five matches, including a 2-1 victory over Brazil on Friday in the first of two international friendlies between the powerhouse sides.
Both Canada and Brazil have qualified for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand starting in late July. The seventh-ranked Canadians have been draw into Pool B with No. 13 Australia, No. 24 Ireland and No. 45 Nigeria.
Priestman said playing high-quality competition like ninth-ranked Brazil serves as excellent preparation for next year's event.
"That's the reason we came here," said Priestman of the two friendlies in Brazil. "I think it'd be very easy to stay away from top-tier opponents. But … we have to challenge ourselves, because in many ways, only the likes of Brazil are going to punish you in those moments.
"As much as we'd like to go after the sixth win, in many ways these are the best things that can happen to you because you grow."
Beatriz Zaneratto Joao's goal in the first half gave Brazil the early lead and Ashley Lawrence's penalty kick in the 60th minute had seemingly earned Canada a draw before Vitoria's late score.
WATCH | Brazil defeats Canada in women's soccer friendly:
The Canadians suffered another loss on Tuesday when veteran forward Nichelle Prince went down with an injury shortly after Vitoria's goal. Prince had jumped up to challenge for a lob in midfield and seemed to land awkwardly. She had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher.
Priestman said Prince was in a lot of pain and her teammates were concerned for her but Canada's manager had no update or details on the injury.
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