SCOTLAND found the first-half heat in the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha too hot to handle, but recovered strongly in the second period and could have had more than Hayley Lauder's goal to show for their efforts.
Trailing 3-0 after 49 minutes as the temperature approached 30° in the 2014 World Cup venue, the Scots refused to wilt and were the better team for the rest of the game. The defeat was their second in the Brasilia International Tournament, but the manner of their performance will raise hope for the midweek game against Chile.
"I'm so proud of the players, they came in at half time and it was obvious they were struggling with the heat," said coach Anna Signeul. "Then they went back out and did themselves proud. Our movement was much better than in the first half.
"Hayley scored a great goal. She took it with her right foot and placed it in the top far corner from just inside the box. It has been a fantastic experience for us to play in these conditions against such opposition. Brazil played their best football of the tournament in the first half."
Scotland made three changes from the team which lost 2-0 to Canada, with the Glasgow City trio of Rachel Corsie, Leanne Crichton and Christie Murray coming in, the latter for her first game in over two years. Two other City players, Eilish McSorley and Leanne Ross dropped out, along with Arsenal full-back Emma Mitchell.
After holding the hosts for 25 minutes, Marta opened the scoring and Debinha made it 2-0 before the interval. When the same player added a third in the 49th minute, it looked ominous for the visitors, but they then played their best football.
Lisa Evans forced Andreia Suntaque to make a terrific save, tipping the Potsdam player's 25-yard shot round the post for a corner midway though the half. Then the goalkeeper blocked another Evans shot but the ball fell to Lauder on the edge of the box and she curled a beauty into the top far corner.
Corsie and Jane Ross came close with headers as the Scots continued to create the best chances on an afternoon when the deadly finishing of the Brazilians decided the outcome.
Scotland (4-2-3-1) Fay; Love, Brown, Corsie, Lauder (Docherty 85); Sneddon, Little; C Murray (Weir 60), Crichton (L Ross 73), Evans; J Ross
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