Brazil manager Mano Menezes has hailed the performance of goalkeeper Rafael Cabral against USA on Wednesday night.
Rafael, 22, was forced to make three or four key saves to deny the USA and retain Brazil’s advantage with the score at 3-1, before Alexandre Pato added a late fourth.
The Santos keeper was selected for the first-time and did not disappoint with a display of authoritative goalkeeping that belied his age.
“It was his first match in the team,” head coach Mano Menezes told reporters. “First appearances always bring individual and collective nerves. He was always there when we needed, though, for the whole match.
