Samba Boys dancing to wonderkid Endrick’s tune
Teenage hotshot tames Three Lions on historic night at Wembley
Real Madrid-bound Endrick became the youngest men’s player to score an international goal at Wembley as Brazil beat England 1-0 in a friendly on Saturday.
Endrick, who will move from Palmeiras to Madrid at the end of the season when he turns 18, struck nine minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute for the Samba Boys
“My family is here, my girlfriend, my agents. I am not much of a crier, I am holding myself, but this is something unique and I am very happy,” he said.
Based on his second-half cameo against the Three Lions, Madrid has secured another major talent for the future.
Coming on for Rodrygo in the 71st minute, Endrick wasted little time to make his mark, firing into an empty net after Vinicius Junior was denied by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Endrick could not hide his delight as he raced away in celebration and dropped to his knees — even though he had to wait for VAR to confirm the goal following an offside check.
It was his first senior goal for Brazil and, at the age of 17 years and 246 days, a record for an international game at Wembley, according to statistician Opta.
He might have scored another, but could not beat Pickford with a late chance.
“All of this affected me a little at the end, the chance I had at the end. I will not lie,” Endrick said. “I was just thinking about scoring. I could only think about that. I couldn’t think about the match any longer.”
Ultimately, his one goal was enough to win the match and end England’s 21-game unbeaten streak at the national stadium.
“We know he’s a dangerous player. He’s managed to follow in for the goal,” Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate said. “We should have defended the goal better than we did. It’s a brilliant moment for him.
“We had as many attempts as them on goal, but in the end it is that ruthless moment that decides the game.”
Madrid secured a deal for Endrick in December 2022 when he was just 16 but already tipped to be one of Brazil’s next stars. Brazilian media said the transfer was worth nearly 60 million euros ($64 million). He will be 18 in July.
Last year, he helped Palmeiras win the Brazilian league from 12 points behind Botafogo at one stage.
He will join other Brazil stars at Madrid such as Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
As well as losing the match, England had a potential setback when defender Kyle Walker suffered a suspected hamstring injury. He was taken off after 20 minutes following treatment on the field.
“He is feeling something, but he is not a player that is injured very often so he is not quite certain what it is,” Southgate said. “We will have to assess it over the next couple of days.”
Southgate also said Harry Kane will return to Bayern Munich and not take part in Tuesday’s friendly against Belgium.
Neymar successor
Coming off its worst period for over 60 years, Brazil hopes new boss Dorival Junior can trigger a revival in time to challenge for the 2026 World Cup.
This was a first significant step in the right direction for the Selecao, who marked their manager’s debut with victory against an England side expected to make a strong challenge to win Euro 2024.
On a cathartic evening for Brazil after their wretched 2023, it was fitting the highly rated Endrick bagged Brazil’s late winner.
The Palmeiras forward has been tipped to succeed Neymar as Brazil’s latest superstar and his match-winning cameo appearance off the bench was a suitable coming-of-age moment in his third appearance.
Endrick stole the show in the 80th minute when he tapped in to become the youngest senior international scorer at Wembley. He is also the youngest player to score for Brazil since Ronaldo in 1994.
“Time will tell how far he can go. We have to be calm and patient with him,” said Dorival Junior.
Endrick’s emergence is a breath of fresh air for Brazil after an unusually stale period for the Selecao.
Snubbed by Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and frustrated by the failings of two caretaker managers, Dorival has been tasked with ensuring Brazil qualifies for the World Cup.
The 61-year-old left Sao Paolo to take charge of Brazil in January, moving into one of world soccer’s most scrutinized jobs at a time when his country had just finished a calendar year with more defeats (five) than wins (three) for the first time since 1963.
Beaten in three consecutive World Cup qualifiers for the first time ever, Brazil faces a nervous fight to qualify for the 2026 tournament.
But in the dynamic display of Vinicius, the emergence of Endrick and the combative performances of his teammates, Brazil has cause for optimism at last.
England boss Southgate was impressed with the new Brazil, saying: “The difference was one moment of ruthlessness.
“In the attacking third they have players of the very highest quality. The midfield three are all technical players as well.
“They have got some fabulous forwards and you have to defend well. Endrick has finished off their goal. It’s a good moment for him.”
Kane out
Brazil will aim to build on the momentum from its first win over England since 2009 in another friendly against Spain on Tuesday.
England’s spluttering performance featured few highlights, although Southgate will have been encouraged by a lively debut from Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon.
England was wearing its controversial new home shirt for the first time after criticism of manufacturer Nike’s decision to change the color of the St George’s Cross on the kit.
The debate about the shirt will soon be forgotten, but Southgate won’t have fond memories of its debut as England lost at home for the first time in 21 games.
Southgate opted for Ollie Watkins instead of Ivan Toney as England’s central striker, with Kane not risked due to an ankle injury.
But Watkins did little to suggest he could deputize up front if Kane were to be injured at the Euros.
Adding to Southgate’s problems, stand-in captain Walker was forced off with a hamstring injury.
Belgium’s friendly visit to Wembley on Tuesday represents the last chance for England’s fringe players to impress before Southgate names his Euro squad.
“I’m not down on the performance at all,” said Southgate. “Clearly I don’t like losing but I thought there were lots of very good performances from players who have hardly played for England.”