In a surprising turn of events, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson showcased his exceptional skills as he helped Brazil secure a 1-1 draw against the USA in an international friendly. Despite being the only senior Liverpool player on duty that night, Alisson’s standout performance stole the spotlight.
Both teams were gearing up for the upcoming Copa America, which kicks off on June 21st with a match between Argentina and Canada. The draw between Brazil and the USA marked the first time since 1998 that the American team managed to avoid defeat against Brazil, ending a streak of 11 consecutive losses.
From the beginning of the match, Alisson was put to the test by USA manager Gregg Berhalter’s side. In the fifth minute, Yunus Musah unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that rattled the underside of the crossbar but failed to cross the line. Alisson breathed a sigh of relief as he narrowly escaped conceding an early goal.
Yet, against the run of play, it was Brazil who took the lead thanks to Rodrygo’s clinical finish. After receiving a perfectly timed pass from Raphinha, Rodrygo confidently struck the ball with his left foot to put his team ahead. However, their lead was short-lived as Christian Pulisic equalized in the 26th minute with a well-executed free-kick that slipped under the defensive wall.
The score remained at 1-1 until full time, largely due to Alisson’s outstanding performance in the second half. He made a phenomenal save, diving quickly to his left and using his strong left arm to deny Pulisic from finding the back of the net once again. Alisson’s agility and reflexes were on full display, solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s top goalkeepers.
In the dying moments of injury time, Brazil had a golden opportunity to snatch victory. However, Vinicius Junior failed to keep his composure and blasted the ball wide instead of slotting it into an open goal. It was a missed chance that left Brazil ruing what could have been.
Looking ahead, Alisson is expected to maintain his position as Brazil’s first-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming Copa America. The tournament will take place in the USA, with Brazil’s first match scheduled for June 25th against Costa Rica. They will then face Paraguay and Luis Diaz’s Colombia in the group stage matches held in Nevada and Santa Clara, respectively.
Brazil enters the tournament as the second favorites to win, trailing behind Alexis Mac Allister’s Argentina. Uruguay, led by Darwin Nunez, follows closely as the third favorites. With Alisson’s exceptional performances and Brazil’s talented squad, they are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with as they seek to claim the Copa America title once again.