“France surpasses Brazil with one player less in a test for the 2026 World Cup.”

The French national team, in an exciting display of resilience and talent, triumphed over Brazil 2-1 in a friendly match preparing for the 2026 World Cup, held in the United States. This game, which took place at the iconic Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, saw the French team face a considerable challenge as they played with one less player following the expulsion of Dayot Upamecano in the second half.

The spectacle began with Kylian Mbappé, the French prodigy, opening the scoring in the 32nd minute. Receiving a precise pass from Dembélé, Mbappé did not hesitate and fired a pinpoint shot that surpassed Brazilian goalkeeper Emerson, putting France ahead. From the start, the French team demonstrated superiority, creating several opportunities while controlling the pace of the match.

However, the situation complicated for the French side in the 55th minute when Upamecano received a straight red card after a video assistant referee intervention penalized him for a foul on Wesley, who was breaking away towards goal. Even with one player down, France continued to show their consistency and determination.

At 72 minutes, the French team scored their second goal, this time with Ekitiké finding the net, extending their lead to 2-0. His celebration was brief, as he was substituted almost immediately by Doué. Brazil, who seemed unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage, finally managed to score at 78 minutes with a goal from Bremmer, reigniting hopes for the Canarinhos. Following the goal, the Brazilian coach made several changes in the attacking front in search of a comeback.

This friendly marked the reunion of these two football powerhouses, exactly 11 years after their last encounter, where Brazil had won 3-1 in Saint-Denis. Now, both teams are guaranteed participation in the 2026 World Cup. Brazil, a five-time world champion, will compete in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, while France, with its two world titles, is placed in Group I, along with Senegal, Norway, and the winner of the intercontinental playoff between Iraq, Bolivia, and Suriname.

In summary, this match not only served as crucial preparation for both sides but also highlighted France’s resilience, which, even when reduced in numbers on the pitch, showed that their strength and skill can prevail against any opponent.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.