Blair Newman

Copa América Femenina Analysis: How Brazil won, best players, stars of the future Brazil lifted the Copa América Femenina once again, but it was anything but easy. Blair Newman recaps a thrilling Copa tournament.

Copa America recap, my latest for EQZ

Brazil won but had their wobbles, Claudia Martinez is a star of the future, and my best XI picks:

equalizersoccer.com/2025/08/04/c...

Give me this over cookie cutter, computer says cut-backs only, pass and pass play, every single day of the week.

Marta Marta Marta !!!

Brazil get caught 2v2 at the back off a simple long ball in transition and that could be tournament. It's not the first time Brazil have been caught like this - Uruguay did it to them all game, Paraguay had some success. Difference is Colombia defend better and have more clinical forwards.

Took the high ball and with one touch of her chest, shoulder (?) sets up the shot. *That's* a good first touch!

Amanda Gutierres strikes again! Why did Elias leave her out of the starting lineup?

To be honest, why did Lorena rush out like that?

a man in a suit and tie stands next to another man in a yellow shirt and tie ALT: a man in a suit and tie stands next to another man in a yellow shirt and tie

Just considering this Brazil defence sans Tarciane

It was a perfectly fine attempted header...said someone from the 1700s

Nice picks! Wamser caught my eye too, with her sheer pace. There was one game where I did a double take seeing her in the final third on a counter, because seconds ago she'd been deep in her own defensive third.

Instant reaction is: big signing for an English 2nd division team. Watched Grec a bit in the French league and was impressed. Struck me as a Millie Bright type of centre-back. Injuries have disrupted her since then, but still a big move for Newcastle.

Gutierres makes it 4-1 just as Uruguay were coming alive again. Whoosh.

Amanda Gutierres goal. Nice movement to stay on, stunning header.

Standout players are Tarciane with a huge block on Aquino, Gutierres fantastic goal and movement, Gio looks like the player so many thought she could be many years ago, non-stop movement and dribble threat

Brazil took lead with Amanda Gutierres, a beautiful guided header after a step-back to stay onside on a Marta inswinger. Gutierres set up 2nd with low ball, Dutra gambled at back post and her effort deflected to Gio who swept home. 3rd is a simple error of too-tight marking on a set play, PK given

Uruguay with a similar defensive approach to Brazil, with their right winger dropping to mark Brazil left wingback Fatima Dutra, making a back 5, and the defenders and midfielders trying to match up, player-marking. Undone on crosses though.

3-0 Brazil at half-time, but Uruguay caused problems. Aquino lively up front, often 1v1 winning with speed, skill giving Uruguay a fast transition threat, requiring last-ditch blocks.

Honourable mentions:
Peng, Knaak, Di Guglielmo, Stanway, Caruso, Kelly, Blackstenius

My Euro bext XI

On Team Hampton since Birmingham. (Not everyone was, to be honest.) Her ability to spread the field as a goalkeeper always stood out. (Also thought her command of the box was good.) Today it's her shot-stopping, which feels like it's improved a lot over the years.

A playmaking English goalkeeper with Spanish influence: The sudden rise of Hannah Hampton Hannah Hampton was in top form last Sunday, and she had to be. Aston Villa went into their away game against Chelsea, the reigning English champions, in poor form. They needed their goalkeeper more th...

Three years ago I interviewed Hannah Hampton for @equalizersoccer.bsky.social. We focused on her unique ball-playing ability. At the time she was showing promise with Aston Villa. Now she is England's penalty-saving star as they retain the European Championship.

equalizersoccer.com/2022/03/16/h...

Wiegman's go-to last-ditch tactic is wingers on their 'weak' side, playing in-swinging crosses while loading the box to test the keeper and centre-backs of the opponent (winning & often defending deeper). It had an effect against Spain three years ago, and against Sweden and Italy at this Euro.

My latest for EQZ looks at how the Euro semi-finals were won. Includes: England's inswingers and Bonmati's genius.

Absolutely meant it, the audacity, the precision ridiculous

Something tells me she's getting the winner...

Probably the last thing Germany's tired, stretched defence needed to see was the sight of Martin-Prieto readying for arrival 💪

Few times this tourney Buhl's 'setup' touch has been heavy. Running into traffic rather than setting up her shot.

Germany keeping a high line, but not really trying to press high. Spain not taking advantage...is their lack of runners in the frontline holding them back? Not just lack of pace, but players that actually want to run in behind. Mariona, Pina, even Esther, all tend to prefer ball to feet, not space.

Real Madrid's Yasmim scored two identical free kicks in the first half of Brazil vs. Paraguay