Brazil women's team kick off 2026 with a thrashing of Costa Rica

Number 10, Kerolin opened the Brazilian National Team's goal season against Costa RicaCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

The Brazilian Women's National Team thrashed Costa Rica 5-2 on Friday night (27) in their 2026 season debut at the Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium in the Costa Rican city of Alajuela. Jheniffer (2), Kerolin, Tainá Maranhão, and Adriana secured Brazil's first victory of the year.

The result maintained Brazil's 100% success rate in the six matches against La Tricolor and highlighted the offensive strength of the team led by coach Arthur Elias. There are six victories, with 23 goals scored and three conceded.

The match

Brazil threatened the Costa Ricans before five minutes. In an unassuming manner, Kerolin crossed low into the area. Jheniffer attempted the finish but didn't hit it cleanly. On the rebound, Mariza tried, but her shot was blocked. Had the players' intentions been realized, they would have already posed a threat to their opponents.

Jheniffer celebrates a goal scored by the National Team against Costa RicaCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

Kerolin opened the scoring at ten minutes with a stunning goal. She received a beautiful assist from Duda Sampaio and, with finesse, lobbed the goalkeeper Solera.

The goal served as an incentive for the National Team, which increased the lead four minutes later. Tainá Maranhão, who had been successful in her advances down the left wing, passed to Jheniffer inside the area, who made a beautiful placed shot.

Maranhão, shortly after, made a great individual play and was about to score a brilliant goal. The ball, however, went close to the post and deserved to go in for the beauty of the move. But what didn't happen at 17 minutes was realized at minute 27. She dribbled the defender and finished low to score her first goal for the Brazilian National Team.

Tainá Maranhão celebrates her first goal for the Brazilian National Team; she terrorized Costa Rica's defense during the gameCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

Brazil scored the fourth goal before the end of the first half. Tainá Maranhão made a difference again on the side of the field. The play was invalidated for offside.

In stoppage time, Herrera sprinted in a fast counterattack. Recovering in the play, Mariza disrupted the number 7's finish with a slide tackle, and it was up to Thais Lima to make a great save and prevent the home team's first goal. There was still time for Bia Zaneratto with a shot from the edge of the area.

Returning to the second half, Duda Sampaio, with finesse, placed the ball on Jheniffer's head, whose header lacked power and direction. In almost subsequent plays, Kerolin had a face-to-face opportunity with the goalkeeper and shot at the keeper. Then, Jheniffer was in the right place at the right time but lacked the necessary reaction to seize the chance inside the area and shoot.

Duda Sampaio in action in the friendly against Costa RicaCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

Costa Rica reduced the deficit six minutes into the second half. Chinchilla received a pass, Thais Lima tried to intercept and was dribbled. Facing an empty goal from outside the area, she hit the net. In the 21st minute, Chinchilla pressured Thais, stole the ball, and scored.

Highlight of the match, Tainá Maranhão made a difference again and was fouled for a penalty. Adriana converted the penalty.

Near the 40-minute mark, a shot from Jheniffer required a good save from goalkeeper Solera, and Tamires posed a threat with a header.

Despite a second half where Brazil struggled with the home team's improvement in the match, the Amarelinha turned the victory into a rout with Jheniffer's goal, who crossed from Adriana and, like a natural center-forward, pushed it into the net.

Adriana celebrates a penalty goal against Costa RicaCredits: Lívia Villas Boas / Staff Images / CBF

History made

At 17 years, ten months, and 16 days, Thais Lima became the youngest goalkeeper to debut for the Brazilian Women's National Team. She surpassed former goalkeeper Mayla by three days, who played in the 14-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago at 17 years, ten months, and 19 days, on July 14, 2000.

At 17 years, ten months, and 16 days, Thais Lima became the youngest goalkeeper to debut for the Brazilian Women's National TeamCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

Schedule

Next Wednesday (4), the Amarelinha faces Venezuela at the Mexican Football Federation Training Center in Toluca, Mexico, at 6 pm (Brasília time), and concludes this first FIFA Date of the year with a friendly against Mexico on March 7, at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, in Mexico City, at 8 pm (Brasília time).

Lineup

BRAZIL: Thais; Fê Palermo (Bruninha) (Luany), Mariza, Thais Ferreira, and Tamires; Tainá Maranhão, Duda Sampaio (Brena), Kerolin (Gabi Zanotti), and Jaque (Ana Vitória); Jheniffer and Bia Zaneratto (Adriana). Coach - Arthur Elias.

Starting lineup of the Brazilian Women's National Team for the friendly against Costa RicaCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/Staff Images/CBF

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.