USA manager Emma Hayes said “it was an experience I will never forget” following her side’s chaotic, bad-tempered 1-0 win against Brazil in Fortaleza on Tuesday.
Eight red cards were shown to Brazil as the USA won courtesy of a shot from Sophia Wilson deflecting in off defender Isabela Chagas.
Brazil head coach Arthur Elias and three members of his staff were ejected by referee Paola Cebollada Lopez towards the end of the second half, before some wild scenes in added time and after the final whistle.
Forward Bia Zaneratto was sent off when she picked up a second yellow for pushing Emily Sonnett just before Brazil team-mate Tarciane was red-carded for elbowing Wilson.
After the final whistle, Kerolin confronted the referee and was shown a red card and Ludmila, who had sarcastically clapped the official, suffered the same fate as tempers frayed.
Police in riot gear then came on to the pitch and surrounded the officials, trying to restore calm.
A crowd of just over 55,000 were at the Arena Castelao stadium, which will be one of the venues used during next year’s Women’s World Cup.
“To say that it was a game of battles, that’s one way to describe it,” said former Chelsea boss Hayes, whose USA side were beaten 2-1 by Brazil in the first leg of the double-header on Saturday.
“To come and play in Brazil and win in Brazil, I think, is extremely tough. The crowd create the conditions to make it difficult but this is what it is, and what I am certain of is that when the World Cup comes here next year with Fifa, there will be very clear behavioural expectations for all of us, which there should be. It’s a global game.
“We are excited, if we qualify, to come back here because, as I have said many times, I have a lot of respect for Brazil and it was an experience I will never forget.”
‘I hope that’s not what a World Cup final looks like’
Hayes said after the match that she had “never coached a game with eight red cards”, adding that is her job to be a good example to her players.
“I think it starts with the leader. I’ve worked so hard as a leader, as a coach, of players to make sure all of the focus and attention is on the game and not me and my behaviours.”
USA midfielder Lindsey Heaps said her side had done an “incredible job” to emerge with a 1-0 win against Brazil.
“I hope that’s not what a World Cup final looks like come the World Cup and I hope that there’s more football being played,” she said.
“I hope that it’s the beautiful game again because, for me, that’s a whole different sport.
“I think this is a really good team with a lot of quality but I just don’t think the game should be played in that type of way.”
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