England Women vs Brazil Women. SheBelieves Cup.
Talen Energy Stadium.
Thursday 28 February 2019 07:01, UK
Beth Mead's stunning strike helped England Women come from behind to beat Brazil 2-1 and open their SheBelieves Cup account with victory.
In a lacklustre first half for Phil Neville's side, Brazil took a well-deserved lead through a 16th-minute Andressa penalty after Marta was fouled by Lucy Bronze.
However, England were improved in the second period and levelled four minutes after the interval through Ellen White, who finished excellently from a tight angle.
The victory was confirmed in the 75th minute when substitute Mead curled her effort into the top corner from the right-hand side to seal the comeback.
Ahead of the game, Neville was adamant the competition was a perfect dress rehearsal for this summer's World Cup - a tournament the Lionesses' boss has repeatedly said his side are determined to win.
If that is to be the case then the opening 45 minutes will have given him plenty of cause for concern as his side were sloppy and below-par throughout.
Although Brazil's penalty may have been a soft decision from the referee, there was no disputing they warranted their lead as England offered little in the first half - a Nikita Parris header and Fran Kirby effort the closest.
It was a complete contrast in the second period though as England were full of intensity and purpose and were quickly level through White's clinical finish from a lovely Kirby through ball.
England sensed blood and the fresh legs of Mead proved decisive as, wide on the right, the Arsenal forward curled an unstoppable ball into the top corner.
Whether it was a cross or shot is perhaps debatable - what is not though is that, despite the win, Neville has a lot to think about if his side are to lift the World Cup in France on July 7th.
The Arsenal forward will be one of the fringe players who will be using this tournament to stake her claim for Phil Neville's World Cup squad.
She will have done her chances no harm at all in this 25-minute cameo - not only for her spectacular strike but her creativity, intensity and movement which caused Brazil no end of problems.
England face hosts USA at the Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday March 2nd (kick-off 9:30pm) while Brazil face Japan at the same venue earlier in the day (kick-off 7pm).
