Media Kampung – 27 Maret 2026 | France secured a 2-1 victory over Brazil in a World Cup preparatory friendly at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, confirming his full recovery from a left‑knee sprain.
The French side extended the lead to 2-0 in the 65th minute through Hugo Ekitike, who finished a Michael Olise pass inside the box.
Brazil reduced the deficit in the 78th minute when Bremer redirected a Luiz Henrique cross past French goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
France finished the match with ten men after Dayot Upamecano received a red card in the 55th minute following a video‑reviewed foul.
The attendance reached 66,215, the second‑largest crowd ever recorded for a soccer match at the venue after a 2007 Brazil‑Mexico friendly.
Local officials and World Cup organizers resolved a dispute over nearly $8 million in security costs just two weeks before the game.
To meet FIFA standards, the stadium’s artificial turf was replaced with a temporary grass surface for the match.
The stadium was awash with Brazilian yellow kits and scattered French tricolour flags, creating a vibrant but balanced atmosphere.
Brazil fielded a lineup that included veteran forward Neymar, while France relied on a mix of seasoned stars and emerging talents.
French coach Didier Deschamps praised the team’s resilience, noting that playing with ten men tested their defensive discipline.
Mbappé said after the match, “The knee is fully behind me, I felt completely free to run and finish.”
Brazilian manager Dorival Júnior acknowledged the loss, commenting that “France showed great organization despite the red card.”
Analysts highlighted France’s quick transition play and Brazil’s late tactical adjustments as key factors in the result.
The win positions France as a strong contender in their upcoming World Cup group match against Norway and Erling Haaland.
Brazil will regroup ahead of their next friendly, focusing on defensive solidity after conceding two early goals.
Player ratings emphasized Mbappé’s impact, Upamecano’s dismissal, and Bremer’s timely equaliser for Brazil.
France made three substitutions after taking the lead, introducing fresh legs to maintain pressure.
A mid‑half cooling break was observed, allowing players to hydrate despite ambient temperatures in the mid‑60s Fahrenheit.
The weather remained mild throughout, eliminating the need for additional heat‑related measures.
Post‑match analysis noted France’s ability to absorb pressure and protect a lead while down to ten men.
Historically, friendlies between the two nations have produced high‑scoring encounters, underscoring their competitive rivalry.
The event generated significant economic activity for Foxborough, with local businesses reporting a surge in patronage.
Security expenses, initially a point of contention, were prepaid by the organizing committee, ensuring smooth operations on match day.
Overall, the fixture demonstrated France’s depth and tactical flexibility as they fine‑tune for the 2026 World Cup.
Brazil showed resilience but will need to address defensive lapses before the tournament begins.
Artikel ini dipublikasikan oleh Media Kampung.
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