Chargers nip Chiefs 27-21 in Brazil

The Kansas City Chiefs’ red and white dominated in the stands at NeoQuimica Arena on Friday night during their season-opening game against the Los Angeles Chargers, though even some of the local supporters couldn’t hide their frustration that Taylor Swift was nowhere to be seen after days of anticipation in Brazil.

Several Chiefs players talked about a growing support base for the team in Brazil, and these fans were the clear majority among the more than 47,000 in attendance. The Chargers, who were the designated home team, were jeered as they came on the field but Los Angeles came away with a 27-21 victory as quarterback Justin Herbert outduelled Patrick Mahomes.

The bigger story for some, though, was the no-show by Swift, who last week announced she was engaged to Chiefs tight end and three-time Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce.

There was speculation all week here that Swift might make a third visit to the South American nation, and the first to the stadium of soccer club Corinthians, whose fans see her as a good luck charm. Stories in the Brazilian media about a possible visit boosted online interest in the game, the NFL’s second in Brazil.

The halftime show featured Colombian singer Karol G, but the Brazilian audience wasn’t particularly welcoming, as it was last year when one of their own, Anitta, performed.

The game Friday was the first of seven that will be played this season in international venues, including in Berlin, Dublin and Madrid.


(AP Photo/Fernando Llano)