Como dizer “Enterrar o time” em inglês

I would say "The experienced/seasoned" defender sank/sealed the fate of the team/affected the team score/affected his team´s score negatively before the end of the first half/already in the first half (of the game).

Opção: sink the team

Definição de ''sink something/somebody'': (informal) to prevent somebody or somebody's plans from succeeding. [Oxford]

Do 'The New York Times':

''In Jacksonville, Maurice Jones-Drew's holdout is already over, although it was a poor pass offense that sank the team[enterrou o time] in Week 2.''

Do 'Kansas City Chiefs - USA'

''If the Chiefs go after offense alone, this defense will sink the team.''

O opção do Donay tá bom. tb:

Lúcio squashed São Paulo's hopes after being sent off. He costed them the game.