Brazil made history on Saturday as they became the first South American team to qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, beating Colombia 34-13 in a Rugby World Cup qualifier in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Brazil qualifies for World Cup for the first time
The historic win came at the Estadio Heroes de Curpaiti – Brazil’s 34-13 victory was the first ever recorded against Colombia – but the journey to get there will soon be forgotten, as this victory means much more: the Brazilian women’s team is now guaranteed a place on the biggest stage of their history.
Brazil will be competing in the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first time in England. The 2015 tournament will feature 16 teams, up from 12 in previous tournaments. This will be the 10th Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup will be held in England from 22 August to 27 September 2025. Matches will be played in eight cities across England. Host nation England will open the tournament at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, with the final to be held at Twickenham Stadium in London.
Brazil is the 13th team confirmed for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025. Yalas joins Canada and the United States, giving an unprecedented three teams from the Americas. Brazil is the only team making its debut in the tournament so far. The 10 confirmed teams outside the Americas are England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.
The pool draw for the tournament will take place in October 2024. It will follow the WXV in September and October. The tournament will act as the repechage for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Yaras defeats Las Tucanes
The 34-13 victory got off to a good start for Brazil, with N8’s Iris Coruna scoring the first try from a scrum, and Colombia hit back with a try, but left winger Juliana Soto cancelled out the first point.
Yalas scored again, this time through left winger Isadora Lopes. She scored in the 27th minute. Brazil’s momentum continued. Six minutes later, captain Esilen Coimbra sent in a cross. Raquel Kochhan, who had previously missed the ball, was able to score.
Inside centre Maria Arzuaga converted a penalty kick but Brazil had the final say in the first half, frustrating Las Tucanes as Aline Mayumi scored an intercept try to give Brazil a 22-8 lead at halftime.
The second half started with a comeback, with Colombia’s Laura Gutierrez scoring, which gave Brazil the victory. Brazil’s fourth try came in the 61st minute, when Yasmim Soares pounced on an uncontrolled ball and scored. Mariana Nicolau scored late to make the score 34-13, and Brazil became the first South American women’s team to qualify for the Rugby World Cup.
Brazil (34)
Try – Íris, Isadora, Eshyllen, Aline, Yasmim, Mari Nicolau
Fault – Raquel, Fernanda
Colombia (13)
Try – J Soto, Gutierrez
Pen – Arzuaga
Brazil
15 Fernanda Tenorio, 14 Isadora Lopes, 13 Giovanna Barto, 12 Mariana Nicolau, 11 Yasmin Soares, 10 Raquel Cohan, 9 Alain Mayumi, 8 Iris Coruna, 7 Leticia Medeiros, 6 Camila Isis Carvalho, 5 Sofia Arantes, 4 Esilen Coimbra (captain), 3 Thais Prioste, 2 Julia Leni, 1 Samara Costa
Substitutes: 16 Isabella Gomes, 17 Patricia Lima, 18 Carolina Palazzini, 19 Marcel Sousa, 20 Larissa Alves, 21 Luisa Campos, 22 Marina Fioravanti, 23 Caroline Pereira.
Columbia
15 Laura Mejia, 14 Zuleyma Orobio, 13 Leidy Soto, 12 Maria Arzuaga, 11 Juliana Soto, 10 Valentina Tapias, 9 Camila Lopera (captain), 8 Maribel Mestola, 7 Angie Manyoma, 6 Valeria Muñoz, 5 Valentina Alvarez, 4 Laura Gutierrez, 3 Giselle Gomez, 2 Camila Carona, 1 Catalina Suarez.
Substitutes: 16 Silvia Olavé, 17 Tatiana Delgado, 18 Carolina Naranjo, 19 Ana Camacho, 20 Tatiana Hernández, 21 Maddie Cordova, 22 Melisa Rios, 23 Nicole Durango
Referee: Federico Solari (Argentina)
Assistant referees: Frank Mendes (Chile), Axel Cortazar (Paraguay)
TMO: Marcelo Pirara (Argentina)
