France defeated Brazil 2-1 in their international friendly at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with Kylian Mbappé once again proving to be the difference-maker for Les Bleus.
Despite playing through an on-and-off knee injury, the France captain was the standout performer and the man who broke the deadlock. On the 32nd minute, Mbappé latched onto a sublime through-ball from Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and coolly chipped the ball over Ederson with a finish of the highest quality.
It was a moment of brilliance that belied how quiet he had been for much of the opening half-hour. The goal moved him to within one of Olivier Giroud’s all-time France scoring record — a milestone that feels increasingly inevitable. Mbappé came close to adding more before being withdrawn on 66 minutes with the game well in hand.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil side showed plenty of spirit, particularly after the break. Luiz Henrique, introduced at half-time for a quiet Raphinha, immediately injected energy into the attack, forcing a fine save from Maignan before Casemiro blazed the rebound over. Vinicius Jr., largely shackled in the first half, grew into the game and was a constant menace down the left. It was the free-kick he won that led to Bremer bundling home on 78 minutes to make it 2-1 and set up a tense finish. Brazil will also feel hard done by after Upamecano’s red card failed to spark the comeback they deserved, with Bremer himself going agonisingly close to an equaliser in stoppage time.
The result does reflect some of Brazil’s current struggles — they have won just one of their last three friendlies — and Ancelotti will know there is work to do before the World Cup. A largely inexperienced defence, missing the injured Gabriel Magalhães and Alisson, was exposed at times.
Hugo Ekitiké’s composed finish had doubled France’s lead before Bremer’s goal, and Deschamps’ side ultimately had enough to hold on with ten men after Upamecano’s late red card. Both nations will take plenty from this contest.
