France Defeats Brazil 2-1 in International Friendly

Kylian Mbappe scores as 10-man France holds on for gritty win over Selecao

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:36pm

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In a World Cup tuneup match played in Foxborough, Massachusetts, France defeated Brazil 2-1 despite playing with 10 men for much of the second half. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring for France in the 32nd minute, and Hugo Ekitike added a second goal in the 65th minute. Brazil's Bremer scored late to make it 2-1, but France held on for the victory.

Why it matters

The match served as a high-profile test event for the 2026 World Cup, which will feature games at Gillette Stadium. It showcased the talent of stars like Mbappe and highlighted the challenges teams may face playing in the new FIFA match conditions, including mandatory cooling breaks.

The details

France took an early lead through Mbappe, who tapped in a through ball from Ousmane Dembele. Ekitike then doubled the advantage for the visitors. But France was reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute when Dayot Upamecano was sent off, leading to a nervy finish after Bremer pulled one back for Brazil. Despite the numerical disadvantage, France held on for the win.

  • The match was played on March 26, 2026.
  • Mbappe scored in the 32nd minute to give France the lead.
  • Ekitike made it 2-0 for France in the 65th minute.
  • Upamecano was sent off in the 55th minute.
  • Bremer scored for Brazil in the 78th minute to make it 2-1.

The players

Kylian Mbappe

A French forward who plays for Real Madrid and is considered one of the top players in the world.

Hugo Ekitike

A French forward who plays for Liverpool and scored the second goal for France in this match.

Dayot Upamecano

A French defender who was sent off in the 55th minute, forcing France to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.

Bremer

A Brazilian defender who scored the lone goal for Brazil in the 78th minute.

Erling Haaland

A Norwegian striker who plays for Manchester City and will face France in the 2026 World Cup group stage.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This match showcased the talent and resilience of the French national team, as they were able to hold on for a gritty win over Brazil despite playing with 10 men for a significant portion of the second half. The game also highlighted the challenges teams may face at the 2026 World Cup, with the new FIFA match conditions and the potential for security issues in host cities.