July 24, (THEWILL) – Brazil’s Ary Borges led the charge, as the South Americans whipped debutants Panama 4-0 in the opening match of the Women’s World Cup with their exhibition of flowing, attacking football.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder, who plays for Racing Louisville in the United States, was at her best on the field, scoring an impressive hat-trick and setting up another goal for her team. With this stylish victory in Adelaide, Brazil claimed the top spot in Group F, setting a strong tone for their campaign.
Panama’s first-ever appearance at the World Cup was met with emotion, as some of the players and fans were in tears during their national anthem. However, their debut match turned out to be challenging, with Swedish coach Pia Sundhage’s Brazil opening their tournament strongly. The South American side started with relentless pressure, racking up five attempts on goal in the first 10 minutes alone.
Borges, in particular, proved to be a constant menace for Panama’s defence, as she scored two close-range goals in the first half and delivered a remarkable assist for Brazil’s third goal.
The tough debut for Panama aside, Brazil’s victory marked a remarkable start for the nation that has participated in all eight previous Women’s World Cups but is yet to clinch the coveted title. Brazil’s attacking prowess and Borges’ exceptional performance will undoubtedly be closely watched and followed as the tournament progresses.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
