Double European champions England's homecoming ended in defeat as 10-player Brazil scored two early goals to claim victory in a friendly at Etihad Stadium.

Playing their first match since winning Euro 2025 in July, and with several big-name stars missing through injury, England were rocked when Dudinha and then Bia Zaneratto put Brazil 2-0 up.

Goalkeeper Khiara Keating, making her England debut at the home of her childhood club, could do little about either goal.

The Lionesses were aided in their task to mount a comeback as Brazil midfielder Angelina was shown a straight red card for a pull-back on Ella Toone in the 21st minute.

Georgia Stanway got a goal back shortly after the break from the penalty spot, before hitting the crossbar late on as England pushed for an equaliser.

Sarina Wiegman made several changes which had an impact, including moving Manchester United captain Maya le Tissier from right-back to centre-back, but Brazil's tireless defending paid off.

England play a second friendly match against Australia at Pride Park on Tuesday (19:00 BST).

With double European champion status confirmed, the Lionesses were hoping to mark their homecoming from Euro 2025 with a celebration at Etihad Stadium.

The attendance was 37,460 in Manchester after the FA said before the match that over 43,000 tickets had been issued – a Premier League game in the same city clashing with the kick-off time.

The match programme cover had the words "European champions" plastered across pictures of the players celebrating, and the Euro 2025 trophy was on display outside the ground for fans to have selfies with before it was taken inside by record goalscorer Ellen White.

Four successive friendly matches are a chance for England to experiment a little and continue to build at the start of what many in the squad have described as a "new cycle" this week, one that is focused on the 2027 Women's World Cup, being held in Brazil.

Debutant Keating was given a warm reception at the Etihad as she filled in for goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who was missing through injury.

But it was not the welcome home England had planned as Brazil struck early when Zaneratto got the better of Esme Morgan and Keira Walsh, before Toone gave away possession and was punished when Dudinha slotted a second goal past Keating.

The early scoreline was not harsh on England. They looked flat and uninspired in contrast to the energetic and daring Brazilians.

The Lionesses were handed a lifeline when Angelina's blatant tug of Toone's shirt was punished with a red card, but the hosts did not respond until the second half.

Wiegman, along with new assistant coaches Janneke Bijl and Arvid Smit, had an impact during the break and Stanway got a goal back from the penalty spot to set things going.

The inevitable changes came as Lucy Bronze was roared on to the pitch by fans who were keen to express their admiration for her summer's performances, and that meant Le Tissier finally got her chance to play at centre-back.

Le Tissier's role has been debated at length, with Wiegman insisting she sees her as a right-back in the current squad, but injuries to captain Leah Williamson and Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy opened the door and she looked assured in both positions across the 90 minutes.

Despite defeat, we learned several things. Wiegman's side remain resilient and were much better in the second half, Le Tissier is at ease in an England shirt and they are still vulnerable defensively.

For South American champions Brazil, this will be a result that is celebrated back home as they build confidence going into a home major tournament in two years' time.

They had a strong contigent of travelling fans in Manchester and they celebrated the win with enthusiasm, dancing and singing at full-time.

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