Brazil edge past Portugal in São Paulo

Brazil edged past Portugal this afternoon, completing a 26-24 victory in São Paulo. The home victory sees Os Tupis beginning their two match November International series in style. The result will see Brazil rising to 25th in the world rankings which are to be updated on Monday.

The narrow victory came down to Josh Reeves landing more conversions than Portugal’s Jerónimo Portela. Both Brazil and Portugal scored four tries with the home side’s No8 André Arruda touching down on two occasions.

Contributing to the result was discipline. Portugal had three players yellow carded, an outcome which meant the Europeans played 30 minutes of the match with one player less than Brazil.

Opening the scoring was Portugal. Outside center António Vidinha crossed for the first points of the match. His score was converted by fly half Jerónimo Portela to give Os Lobos an early 7-0 advantage.

Brazil looked to hit-back straight away. Fly half Josh Reeves looked to do so with a drop-goal only for his attempt to miss the mark.

He would make amends shortly thereafter as he converted a try scored from Arruda. It came from a pushover with the No8 touching down for a try converted by Reeves to level the scores.

The back-and-forth opening half continued with Portugal responding. The Europeans’ second try was the outcome of a wonderfully directed cross-kick from Appleton. Simão Bento dotted the ball down for what was an unconverted try.

What Portugal could do so too could Brazil. Reeves looked to show Portugal that he was also skilled at the cross-kick. His kick fell into the hands of winger Daniel Lima who had a Kotaro Matsushima sized smile on his face as he went over for the score.

Reeves’ successful conversion from wide ended the opening half. With it Brazil were 21-12 ahead and looking well positioned to complete a victory.

In the second half Portugal would outscore Brazil. Tries came to Storti and replacement Dany Antunes. Brazil’s one try of the second half was decisive in seeing the hosts winning the match. It was score by fullback Daniel Sancery who bagged an Iberian double follow his score against Spain from June.

Celebrations will be short-lived for Brazil as Os Tupis now turn their attention to facing the Barbarians on Wednesday. Portugal will also play next week, albeit it next Saturday as they face Chile in Santiago.

 

SCORING

BRAZIL 26
Tries – A. Arruda 2 (19’, 24’), D. Lima (39’), D. Sancery (43’)
Cons – J. Reeves 3/4 (20’, 25’, 40’)
Drop goals – J. Reeves 0/1

PORTUGAL 24
Tries – T. Appleton (5’), S. Bento (34’), R. Storti (54’), D. Antunes (58’)
Cons – J. Portela 2/3 (6’, 59’), S. Bento 0/1
Pens – J. Portela 0/1
Yellow cards – V. Mendes (18’), J. Portela (31’), J. Conde (65’)

 

TEAMS

BRAZIL
1 Lucas Abud (17 Caíque Silva 69’), 2 Yan Rosetti (18 Matheus Rocha 69’), 3 Wilton Rebolo, 4 Matteo Dell’Acqua, 5 Luiz Vieira (19 Gabriel Paganini 70’), 6 Cléber Dias (20 Matheus Claudio 57’), 7 Arthur Bergo, 8 André Arruda, 9 Lucas Duque (21 Felipe Cunha 69’), 10 Josh Reeves, 11 Daniel Lima, 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery (capt.), 14 Lucas Tranquez (22 Lorenzo Massari 65’), 15 Daniel Sancery

Not used: 16 Piero Pozzi, 23 Robert Tenório

PORTUGAL
1 Francisco Bruno (18 Lionel Rodrigues 57’), 2 Nuno Mascarenhas, 3 Diogo Ferreira (17 João Conde 57’), 4 José D’Alte (19 João Granate 74’), 5 José Madeira, 6 Helano Alberto (20 José Roque 48’), 7 David Wallis, 8 Vasco Mendes (3 Diogo Ferreira 65’-75’), 9 João Belo (21 Duarte Azevedo 65’), 10 Jerónimo Portela, 11 Raffaele Storti, 12 Tomás Appleton (capt.), 13 António Vidinha, 14 Tomás Cabral (23 Dany Antunes 48’), 15 Simão Bento

Not used: 16 José Moreira, 22 João Maria Lima

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Francisco González (Uruguay)
Assistants: Gonzalo Ventoso (Uruguay) & Victor Barboza (Brazil)