Brazil draw thriller with Spaniards
Madrid – Brazil snatched a late leveller to share an entertaining and occasionally heated 3-3 friendly draw with Spain on Tuesday as youngsters Lamine Yamal and Endrick (right) dazzled.
Lucas Paqueta fired home a stoppage-time penalty to deny La Roja victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, after the hosts had taken a late lead.
Spain captain Rodri scored two heavily debated penalties of his own in a pulsating battle under a closed roof in the Spanish capital.
The match, arranged to help combat racism after various incidents of abuse aimed at Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Junior in Spain, proved a pulsating battle between two of football’s heavyweight nations.
Vinicius captained Brazil for the first time but was largely kept quiet, with his teenage compatriot and future Los Blancos teammate Endrick continuing to enjoy the limelight, along with Barcelona youngster Yamal.
“It’s a shame it got away from us in the last second, it was a penalty we could have avoided,” Rodri told Teledeporte.
Rodri was given the armband on this occasion by regular skipper Alvaro Morata, as a gesture for the recent death of the midfielder’s grandfather.
“I dedicated (the goals) to my grandfather, for everything that he taught me,” added Rodri.
La Roja excelled in the first half, barely allowing five-time World Cup winners Brazil a sniff in Selecao coach Dorival Junior’s second match at the helm.
“I’m angry not to win a game in which we were superior,” admitted Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, but he said he was encouraged ahead of Euro 2024 this summer.
“The positive thing... is that we have come out reinforced, the team is growing and giving the feeling that this side can go very far.”
Yamal won the penalty converted by Rodri for the opening goal, although the Barcelona winger was fortunate after tumbling easily under a challenge from Joao Gomes.
The 16-year-old continues to grow in stature with every match and played in Olmo for the second goal, who finished well after sublime footwork.
“(Yamal) had a brilliant performance, but I like to be careful, that’s the best we can give these youngsters,” said De la Fuente.
At half-time Dorival brought on Endrick, who scored the winner against England on Saturday in another friendly, for his first appearance at the home of his future club, Real Madrid.
The 17-year-old starlet did not wait long to net his first goal in the Spanish capital, volleying home after a corner was headed into his path.
“If he completes his development he will be one of the greats,” said Dorival.