Abraham P. Romero
Updated Saturday, March 23, 2024-22:09
In one of the most anticipated matches of this national team break, the face-to-face between
England and Brazil
at
Wembley
, a teenager reigned on the pitch.
Endrick
, at 17 years old, now at
Palmeiras
but already signed by
Real Madrid
for next season, scored his first goal with the '
Canarinha
' and decided a duel full of stars.
It was Madrid's party, with
Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Júnior
as the leading figures of two teams that aspire to win the Euro Cup and the Copa América this summer. England dominated, but Brazil, on the counterattack, had the clearest opportunities and ended up being superior, physically and football-wise, to its rival.
Southgate
started
without
Harry Kane
, injured, and with
Bellingham and Foden
escorting Watkins. Together with
Rice, Gallagher and Gordon
handled possession of the duel, but they lacked bite, overflow and flair.
Opposite, a Brazil guided by veteran coach
Dorival Júnior
after all the rumors, without a happy ending for them, about Carlo Ancelotti. The coach, at least, has a clear idea of him: a solid team at the back, tough in the midfield and electric in attack. That's how his footballers are and that's how he plays. It has logic.
Brazil handed the ball to England and waited for their moments, which came with some ease. In the 13th minute,
Vinicius
wasted a one-on-one with
Pickford
by finishing too softly, and in the 16th minute
Rodrygo
sent a shot wide inside the area.
The British team pushed from the wing, causing corners and
attacking aerial balls
, but they lacked dribbling. In the 20th,
Kyle Walker
, Manchester City defender, retired injured after a race with Vinicius. He put his hand on his left ischium, but the 18 days left for Madrid-City seem enough for him not to miss the event.
Bellingham at times carried the team on his back, but England suffered greatly as they ran backwards.
Maguire, Stones and Chilwell
couldn't handle Vinicius, Rodrygo and Raphinha. In the 34th minute, Paquetá sent a ball to the post.
After the break, the British dropped one more gear, and after Bellingham's change, who retired in the 66th minute after some minor cramps, he practically did not give any more of himself. In that section of the game
Endrick came on for Rodrygo
, in a series of changes that pushed Brazil more than the locals.
Without very clear chances, Dorival's men arrived physically stronger in the final stretch, always relying on the physical superiority of Vinicius, and found the goal in the 80th minute. The Madrid forward was once again one-on-one with
Pickford
, the goalkeeper defined He rejected the shot and the ball was at the feet of Endrick, who made it 0-1.
With England surrendered, the future Madrid striker had the score 0-2, but he ran into Pickford, the best Englishman of the night who avoided a bigger rout.