Author: Amrit Santlani
Brazil – Panama – 4:0 (Ary Borges 19, 39, 70, Bia Zaneratto 48)
Shooting statistics: 34 (11 on target) – 7 (2)
Brazil kicked off the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with an impressive 4-0 win over Panama. For Ary Borges, this is her World Cup debut and in her first match she scored three goals, with an assist for Beatriz Zaneratto. Panama aren’t the most formidable opponents, but it’s always good to start with a big win. As France failed to beat Jamaica 0-0 in the other Group F match, Brazil topped the quartet in the first round.
The Seleção have always been a tough nut to crack for Panama, and the heavyweights needed just 19 minutes to open the scoring. Ary Borges was in the right place at the right time and sent a shot over the crossbar after being found by Debinha.
Shortly after the break, Panama’s Yenith Bailey deflected in a long-range shot from Luana to keep the score at 1-0, but Borges was soon to add to his two goals.
The midfielder had her first attempt on goal saved by Bailey, but managed to hit the rebound to increase Brazil’s lead in the contest.
Beatriz Zaneratto ensured that the Seleção finished the game within minutes of the restart. It was a work of beauty from the Brazilians, as Borges found herself in front of goal after a brilliant piece of playmaking and laid the ball back for Zaneratto, who hit the top corner and scored one of the most beautiful goals of the tournament.
BEAUTIFUL GAME 🔥
The Goal of the Day comes from Brazil’s Bia Zaneratto! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/G2Uiv6aDRU
– FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 24, 2023
Leticia Izidoro appeared just in time to stop the danger when Panama threatened the Brazilians in the second half. Riley Tanner got to the goal, but before he could finish, Da Silva saved the day.
Ary Borges completed his hat-trick by striking Panama’s heart in the 71st minute. The 23-year-old was all alone in the area and hit a cross for substitute Geyse.
With just 15 minutes to go, Marta entered the field to play in her sixth World Cup, replacing the hero of the hat-trick, Borges, and the top scorer in World Cup history was greeted with enthusiasm.
The legendary striker came close to becoming the first player to score in six World Cups in both men’s and women’s soccer, but her late free-kick was saved. Tanner took advantage of a misplaced pass from one of the Brazilian defenders, but Leticia Izidoro was there to stop the Panamanian fans from rejoicing.
4 goals, 4 works of art 🖼🇧🇷
Brazil put on a show in its 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup opener ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/nnwPmYkW7V
– FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 24, 2023
First round results
Group A
Philippines-Switzerland 0-2
New Zealand-Norway 1-0
Group B
Australia-Ireland 1-0
Nigeria-Canada 0-0
Grussa C
Zambia-Japan 0-5
Spain-Costa Rica 3-0
Group D
England-Haiti 1-0
Denmark-China 1-0
Group F
BRAZIL – Panama 2-0
France-Jamaica 0-0
Group E
USA – Vietnam 3-0
Netherlands-Portugal 1-0
Group G
Sweden-South Africa 2-1
Italy-Argentina 1-0
Group H
Germany-Morocco 6-0
Colombia-Korea 2-0