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Borges hat-trick powers Brazil past Panama in World Cup opener

Danny Clark
Brazil midfielder Ary Borges (L) celebrates with Kerolin
Brazil midfielder Ary Borges (L) celebrates with KerolinAFP
Brazil made a dream start to their Women’s World Cup (WWC) campaign as a virtuoso performance from Ary Borges fired Pia Sundhage’s side to a 4-0 victory over Panama, extending the Seleção’s impressive record in WWC openers to nine consecutive wins. 

Having suffered a pair of heavy defeats to Japan and Spain during their pre-tournament preparations, Panama knew the magnitude of their task as they faced up against the eight-time South American champions in their Group F opener.

As expected, it was Brazil who started on the front foot and their early dominance was duly rewarded inside the opening 20 minutes when Debinha’s superb delivery was clinically headed into the bottom corner by Borges.

Brazil midfielder Ary Borges (C) celebrates with teammates scoring her team's first goal
Brazil midfielder Ary Borges (C) celebrates with teammates scoring her team's first goalAFP

Armed with all the momentum, the Seleção continued to assert their authority on proceedings during a one-sided first half.

However, for all their possession, clear-cut chances came at a premium for Sundhage’s side, with Luana Bertolucci seeing a long-range effort brilliantly tipped over the bar by Yenith Bailey. Not to be denied, Brazil finally doubled their lead six minutes before HT, as Borges tapped home a rebound inside the six-yard box for her second of the evening.

Faced with a two-goal deficit, Panama desperately needed a positive start to the second half, but it was Brazil who extended their advantage within three minutes of the restart in scintillating fashion.

Brazil v Panama match stats
Brazil v Panama match statsOpta by Stats Perform

Debinha, so often the architect of all of Brazil’s attacking play, drifted an accurate cross into the path of Borges, who took one touch to compose herself before unselfishly laying the ball off to Bia Zaneratto to dispatch into the top-right corner.

That early goal of the tournament contender all but confirmed three points for the Seleção, who understandably took their foot off the gas going into the final half-hour.

Nevertheless, Borges still found time to complete her hat-trick with another expertly-taken header to round off a superb display from the 2007 runners-up.

As for Panama, the tournament debutants will look to bounce back from a chastening defeat as they prepare for a must-win clash against Jamaica on matchday two.

Ary Borges stats against Panama
Ary Borges stats against PanamaOpta by Stats Perform / AFP

Flashscore Player of the Match: Ary Borges (Brazil)

Catch up on the match with Flashscore.

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