England suffered their first defeat since the Qatar World Cup as a late winner from 17-year-old forward Endrick earned Brazil a deserved 1-0 friendly win at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate’s side were hoping to push on as they continue their preparations for Euro 2024 this summer - but with captain Harry Kane injured and Jude Bellingham frustrated, the Three Lions lacked a creative spark.
Brazil went closest in the first half, hitting the post through Lucas Paqueta, and took the lead in the 80th minute as substitute Endrick tapped in after Vinicius Jr’s shot was saved by Jordan Pickford.
Paqueta was fortunate not to receive a second yellow card after one of several fouls on Bellingham - while another concern for Southgate would have been Kyle Walker joining his lengthy injury list ahead of Tuesday’s match against Belgium.
After the controversy about the new England shirt, the concerns about the players wearing it. After the needless culture wars, the more pertinent footballing decisions that beckon for Gareth Southgate. A year that could end 58 of hurt for England began with a first defeat since the 2022 World Cup quarter-final and a performance to ward off suggestions they should be favourites for Euro 2024.
A glamour game did not live up to its billing, but the excitement was provided by a weakened Selecao team. On a night when many a young England player hoped to take a make an indelible mark, the rookie to etch his name into history was instead Endrick, the 17-year-old who became the youngest scorer in a senior international at Wembley. For their rather more experienced manager, Dorival Junior, a 26th and most prestigious job brought an ideal start.
But England’s display was less jogo bonito than jogo mediocre. The players who needed to play well didn’t; or not to the extent of resolving Southgate’s selection dilemmas for the summer. Paper aeroplanes were being flung in the crowd, but too few players booked their place on the flight to Germany.
England 0-1 Brazil: What did we learn as the Three Lions lost their unbeaten Wembley run? The problem for Gareth Southgate is whatever it was, it wasn’t enough.
Jude Bellingham in full flow was a sight Wembley was starting to get used to. Leaning forwards, ball almost dangling from his stretched toes, dynamic yet in perfect balance. Then Brazil arrived. The beautiful game? Joga Bonito? Not tonight. Instead, meet the tactical foul: the sight of Bellingham laid out on his back proved a rather more frustrating image during this 1-0 defeat.
And that is the end of tonight’s coverage.
More questions for Gareth Southgate, but Tuesday presents an immediate opportunity to answer some.
Belgium will be a different test, but another that England should win. Much of the squad will be desperate to put tonight’s result behind them.
You can read tonight’s match report below, and can follow the Belgium match with us from Tuesday evening.
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