A late goal from 17-year-old sensation Endrick is all that separated England and Brazil in an international friendly on Saturday.
The future Real Madrid star came off the bench to steal the winner and the show at Wembley Stadium much to the delight of a sizeable travelling contingent.
Gareth Southgate’s charges were uninspiring from the off and were on the end of a deserved defeat that will give them food for thought ahead of Euro 2024.
How the game unfolded
The first sight of goal was forged by Rodrygo, who picked up the ball from deep and fearlessly drove at the England backline, but his long-range effort was held by Jordan Pickford.
Another fast Brazil attack saw Lucas Paqueta dink the ball over a sleeping backline and into Vinicius Junior. Pickford wasn’t sure whether to come off his line or stay put, instead stumbling to the edge of his box and watching Vinicius’ shot trickle by him, only for Kyle Walker to clear off the line.
Down the other end, England spurned a great chance to go ahead. Jude Bellingham did well to retain possession by the left corner flag and dig out a cross for Conor Gallagher on the edge of the box, whose lob over the defence picked out Ollie Watkins, but he dinked his half-volley over.
A scramble just inside the England penalty area led to Paqueta rattling the post with one wicked swing of his left boot before a poor Harry Maguire back pass was intercepted by Raphinha, with his effort pushed wide by Pickford.
The affair became tighter after the break but Paqueta nearly broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion, with his curling first-time strike whistling past the post.
With ten minutes to go, Brazil went in front. Vinicius made another darting run in behind to reach Andreas Pereira’s through ball, and though his initial effort was saved by Pickford, Endrick was there to sweep in the rebound – becoming the youngest ever scorer at Wembley Stadium.
Endrick was denied a brace with the final kick of the game on the break, being denied by a low Pickford save, and Brazil eeked out the win.
GK: Jordan Pickford – 6/10 – Did well to make the saves he did, including from Vinicius leading to Endrick’s winner.
RB: Kyle Walker – N/A – Brought off after 20 minutes with a hamstring injury. Made a clearance off the line in that time.
CB: John Stones – 5/10 – Played without intensity, which is characteristic and understanding in a friendly, but England lacked their usual solidity at the back.
CB: Harry Maguire – 4/10 – A clumsy stumble and pass back towards Pickford threatened to cost England in the first half. Hugely uncomfortable in trying to thwart Brazil’s quick and tricky attackers.
LB: Ben Chilwell – 4/10 – Handed a rare opportunity to impress in the absence of Luke Shaw and absolutely did not take it. Offered little at either end but did sky some crosses and shots high into the stands.
CM: Declan Rice – 5/10 – Didn’t take control of the game they way he has so often for Arsenal this season. England suffered for starting without a playmaker.
CM: Conor Gallagher – 5/10 – Got into advanced areas well but was far too easily passed by going the other way.
RM: Phil Foden – 4/10 – Barely involved at all and it was hard to remember him actually contributing in the second half.
AM: Jude Bellingham – 7/10 – England’s spark of ingenuity during the first hour of play. Needed more support from those around and ahead of him.
LM: Anthony Gordon – 6/10 – Never afraid to try and beat his man or create an opening all on his own. Like Bellingham needed England’s other attackers to make more space.
CF: Ollie Watkins – 4/10 – Failed on his audition to become the number one backup to Harry Kane. Crowded out by Brazil’s defenders.
Substitutes
SUB: Ezri Konsa (20′ for Walker) – 5/10 – Was reluctant to gallop forward the way the pacy Walker had been. England suffered from having too many defensive-minded players.
SUB: Lewis Dunk (67′ for Maguire) – 4/10
SUB: Joe Gomez (67′ for Chilwell) – 5/10
SUB: Jarrod Bowen (67′ for Bellingham) – 6/10
SUB: Kobbie Mainoo (75′ for Gallagher) – 6/10
SUB: Marcus Rashford (75′ for Gordon) – 5/10
Subs not used: Sam Johnstone (GK), Aaron Ramsdale (GK), Jarrad Branthwaite, James Maddison, Ivan Toney
Manager
Gareth Southgate – 4/10 – England weren’t strong defensively nor were they exciting in attack. A rather pointless performance in isolation but there are least lessons to be learned ahead of the summer.
GK: Bento – 6/10 – Claimed a few crosses but was a rather quiet evening for the stand-in goalkeeper.
RB: Danilo – 6/10 – Troubled by Gordon in the first half but was far more assured of himself after the break.
CB: Fabricio Bruno – 7/10 – The Flamengo defender protected his box at all costs with a series of clearances and blocks.
CB: Lucas Beraldo – 7/10 – Likewise remained calmed and composed up against a flat but potentially dangerous England frontline.
LB: Wendell – 6/10 – Never really threatened by Foden, though was skipped past by Bowen after his introduction.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes – 6/10 – Wasn’t afraid to put himself about in a dogged midfield battle. Played with a tad more caution than in the black and white of Newcastle when he’s essentially given licence to beat his opponents up.
CM: Joao Gomes – 5/10 – A tentative debut for Brazil. Notably given the literal runaround by Mainoo following his introduction late in the second half.
RM: Raphinha – 6/10 – Didn’t do enough to put the frighteners on Maguire and Chilwell who were a bag of nerves, but at least stole a shot out of the former.
AM: Lucas Paqueta – 8/10 – Lit up Wembley with his impressive passing range and bag of tricks, but was a little fortunate not to have been sent off for a string of cynical fouls.
LM: Vinicius Junior – 6/10 – A mixed bag for the Real Madrid man. Had England on skates early on but he always left you wanting more. Even Brazil’s winner came from him missing a huge chance.
CF: Rodrygo – 6/10 – Clearly not a natural centre forward but scared England when dropping deep to pick up the ball.
Substitutes
SUB: Andreas Pereira (71′ for Paqueta) – 7/10 – Came up with the winning assist.
SUB: Endrick (71′ for Rodrygo) – 8/10 – 17-years-old. What a career he has ahead of him.
SUB: Savio (78′ for Raphinha) – 6/10
SUB: Douglas Luiz (78′ for Guimaraes) – 6/10
SUB: Pablo Maia (89′ for Vinicius) – N/A
SUB: Bremer (89′ for Wendell) – N/A
Subs not used: Rafael (GK), Leo Jardim (GK), Murilo, Yan Couto, Ayrton Lucas, Pepe, Andre, Galeno, Richarlison
Manager
Dorival Junior – 7/10 – Brazilians were left disappointed when they missed out on Carlo Ancelotti, but this performance should encourage them.
Player of the match – Lucas Paqueta (Brazil)
