Endrick netted a 80th minute winner as Brazil beat England 1-0 in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium, London.
Endrick netted the only goal of the game from his interception of Jordan Pickford’s clearance of a shot made by Vinicius Junior in the 80th minute, as Brazil claimed a first win under new manager – Dorival Junior.
England dominated much of the game but failed to show a clinical end product and creativity, as their best chance was fired wide by John Stones in the 59th minute.
Speaking post-match, manager, Gareth Southgate praised his players for “very good performances,” despite having lacked a “ruthless moment” to avoid defeat.
Knowing that Brazil were without several regulars like Casemiro, Neymar and Gabriel Jesus, England knew that this friendly was hugely winnable as Conor Gallagher drew a third-minute foul from Lucas Paqueta.
Phil Foden however curled the subsequent free-kick just wide of the left corner, but England soon received two huge scares as Pickford saved Rodrygo’s shot before Kyle Walker cleared Vinicius Junior’s shot following a 12th minute counter-attack by Brazil.
Walker however suffered a hamstring issue during his clearance which ultimately saw him substituted for debutant, Ezri Konsa in the 20th minute, whilst Anthony Gordon had started the game following his first senior call-up for the squad.
Brazil continued to build pressure amidst England’s dominance but wasted a chance to open the scoring as Paqueta’s 35th minute strike hit the post.
Neither team managed to break the deadlock before half-time and much of the second half continued in the same vein, as Ben Chilwell’s 59th minute overlap cutback pass was worked to Stones who blasted his shot wide from outside of the box.
Paqueta continued to be Brazil’s main threat as he curled wide of the top-left corner in the 63rd minute, prior to a series of substitutes for both teams, during which 18 year-old Kobbie Mainoo made his debut for England in the 75th minute.
17 year-old Brazil forward, Endrick however punished Pickford’s 80th minute block of Vinicius Junior’s shot as he intercepted and smashed into the empty net to put the visitors ahead, with his first international goal confirmed by a VAR review.
England attempted to mount a late response in search of an equaliser but their six-match unbeaten run at home in all competitions came to an end, as Brazil held out for only their second away friendly win on English soil.
What’s Next?
England next host Belgium in another friendly at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday 26 March at 7:45pm GMT, in what marks the final chance for players to impress prior to Southgate naming his UEFA Euro 2024 squad.
Brazil meanwhile visit Spain at Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid in a friendly at 9:30pm CET (8:30pm UK Time).
Teams
England: Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker (Konsa 20′), John Stones, Harry Maguire (Dunk 67′), Ben Chilwell (Gomez 67′), Declan Rice, Conor Gallagher (Mainoo 75′), Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham (Bowen 67′), Anthony Gordon (Rashford 75′), Ollie Watkins
Substitutes: Ezri Konsa, Sam Johnstone, Lewis Dunk, Jarrad Branthwaite, Joe Gomez, Ivan Toney, Jarrod Bowen, Marcus Rashford, James Maddison, Kobbie Mainoo, Aaron Ramsdale
Brazil: Bento, Danilo, Fabricio Bruno, Lucas Beraldo, Wendell (Bremer 89′), Joao Gomes, Bruno Guimaraes (Douglas Luiz 79′), Lucas Paqueta (Pereira 71), Raphinha (Savio 78′), Rodrygo (Endrick 71′), Vinicius Junior (Maia 90′)
Substitutes: Murilo, Bremer, Richarlison, Rafael, Yan Couto, Pepe, Andre, Douglas Luiz, Andreas Pereira, Savio, Endrick, Galeno, Leo Jardim, Ayrton Lucas, Pablo Maia
Referee – Artur Manuel Ribeiro Soares Dias (Portugal)
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