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Police stand guard in the Complexo do Alemao favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
England’s head coach wants to lead the rebuild after heavy defeats in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, but concedes his fate lies elsewhere
A 20-MINUTE drive separates the historic Maracana Stadium from the Complexo do Alemao, the biggest complex of favelas in Rio de Janeiro and one of the most impoverished and violent.
One of its residents, 15-year-old soccer player Kaylane Alves dos Santos, hopes her powerful shots and impressive dribbles will allow her to cover that short distance to the stadium in three years to play for Brazil’s national team in the final of the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
That chance, once remote, became more realistic on Friday when Fifa voted to make Brazil the first Latin American country to host the Women's World Cup.
Joao Pedro’s emotional goals against Fluminense captured the magic of an international club competition. But even as fans bring colour and passion, the Club World Cup’s deeper issues loom large, writes JAMES NALTON
