By Avnish Singh 
Saquon Barkley had a remarkable night in his Philadelphia Eagles introduction, notching three scores as the Eagles claimed the NFL’s first game in Brazil — a 34-29 triumph over the Green Bay Packers at Arena Corinthians in São Paulo. Barkley is the first athlete to reach the end zone three times in his Eagles debut since Terrell Owens in 2004 — they are the only two Eagles players to achieve this since the merger.
Barkley wrapped up the night with two rushing touchdowns and a receiving one, the final being a 2-yard run that secured the Eagles’ lead for good. He snagged an 18-yard reception for his first score in the first half and then added an 11-yard rushing touchdown. Barkley finished the game with 132 total yards and 109 on the ground, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. He also scooped up a fumble that Jalen Hurts mishandled at the 1-yard line in the closing moments, ensuring the Eagles retained possession.
Jayden Reed also had a standout evening for the Packers. Reed put up two touchdowns in the first half, a 33-yard rushing run and a 70-yard receiving strike that gave Green Bay the advantage late in the second quarter. The Packers led 19-17 at the break. Reed finished the half with three touches for 112 yards, turning two of them into points. He concluded the night with 138 all-purpose yards.
Jalen Hurts, meanwhile, had a challenging game, committing three turnovers, including an interception in the red zone when the Eagles were up 31-26 in the fourth quarter. The defense held strong, limiting Jordan Love and the Packers to just a field goal, which allowed the Eagles to maintain their slim edge. Philadelphia managed to control the ball for the final 7:25 and ended the game with a late field goal.
Love’s night ended dramatically, going down with a severe injury with six seconds left on the clock. Needing assistance to leave the field, he was replaced by Malik Willis for the final two plays. Willis couldn’t mount a comeback, with the last play ending in a sack by Zack Baun, who had a spectacular night himself with 15 tackles and two sacks.
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This historic contest marked the first NFL game ever played in Brazil and the first international season opener at Arena Corinthians, living up to every bit of its anticipation.
Why the Eagles Won
Barkley’s three touchdowns added a dimension the Eagles lacked last year. His dual-threat ability on the ground and through the air provided Philadelphia with the explosive plays they needed. On a night when Hurts struggled to protect the ball, Barkley stepped up. The Eagles couldn’t have asked for a more impressive performance from their prized $12.5 million acquisition.
Why the Packers Lost
Green Bay had plenty of offensive firepower, tallying 414 yards and averaging 7.1 yards per play, but their efficiency in key moments was lacking. They converted just 1 of 4 trips in the red zone. Early on, the Packers were gifted two short-field opportunities after Eagles turnovers inside the Philadelphia 20-yard line but only came away with six points.
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In the fourth quarter, with a chance to take control, the Packers opted for a field goal inside the Eagles’ 10-yard line, rather than pushing for the end zone. Jordan Love completed just 4 of 9 passes for 24 yards in the red zone, missing key throws that ultimately cost the Packers. Their 3-for-11 performance on third down was another reason Green Bay came up short.
Turning Point
At the start of the third quarter, with the Eagles trailing by two, Jalen Hurts connected with A.J. Brown for a game-changing 67-yard touchdown. The bomb gave Philadelphia a 24-19 lead, flipping momentum in their favor, and the Eagles never trailed again. Brown ended the game with five catches for 119 yards, breaking a six-game streak without a touchdown.
Play of the Game
Barkley’s first score for the Eagles was the moment that set the tone for his remarkable debut. Hurts found Barkley matched up against a linebacker and delivered a precise pass into the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown, giving the Eagles a 7-6 lead in the second quarter. That play laid the foundation for Barkley’s historic night, where he accumulated 132 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns.
The Quote
“He was outstanding. He could’ve had four touchdowns, and I told him that.” That was A.J. Brown, praising Barkley’s debut. In the game’s final minute, the Eagles chose a “Tush Push” with Hurts, resulting in a fumble that Barkley fortunately recovered to secure the win.
What’s Next?
The Eagles (1-0) will have 10 days to regroup before hosting the Falcons on “Monday Night Football” on September 16. Meanwhile, the Packers (0-1) return home to face the Colts on Sunday, September 15, giving them nine days to recover.
The NFL’s debut in Brazil wasn’t just historic—it was a rollercoaster of excitement, and this is just the beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable season.
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