WONDERKID England left stunned by
IF EVER there was a week when England really needed to fly the flag...
After kit manufacturers Nike angered most of the nation by changing the flag of St George embroidered on the back of the new shirt collar, how Gareth Southgate could have done with the Three Lions sending out a roar.
Instead, England were sentenced to a confidencesapping defeat by Endrick, the latest South American sensation who is already destined for Real Madrid.
Brazil themselves are supposed to be in a state of flux. But they still had too much for an England team that was already ravaged by injuries before stand-in skipper Kyle Walker joined the casualty list after 19 minutes.
Dorival Junior’s side had been written off before they even landed at Heathrow.
Perhaps that was why the Samba Boys turned into the Boot Boys. First by giving the home side a bit of a kicking – and then inflicting yet another defeat on the English, thanks to Endrick’s close-range effort 11 minutes from time.
West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta perhaps should have been sent off for a series of cynical fouls in the first half alone.
Paqueta also fired a closerange chance against Jordan Pickford’s right-hand post.
After the break, he curled a glorious effort just wide with the kind of style that was pure Copacabana.
The outstandingvinicius Junior had an effort cleared off the line bywalker before the full-back limped off.
Former Leeds winger Raphinha rolled the best chance of the game wide after seizing on to Harry Maguire’s calamitous error.
And only Pickford’s injurytime save prevented Endrick
from adding to his burgeoning reputation when the
17-year-old burst clear.
Southgate had hoped to start the countdown to the Euros in Germany by giving the Wembley fans something to cheer against world-class opposition. Belgium arrive in London on Tuesday.
But his plans were hobbled by injuries to key players like Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and Luke Shaw.
Southgate’s starting line-up had just 24 international goals between them.
Maguire was their most prolific scorer, with seven.
There was the slight consolation of Anthony Gordon showing on his debut that he isn’t out of place on the international stage.
The Newcastle winger had one shot deflected wide and was twice denied by Brazil’s third-choice keeper Bento.
His link-up play with Jude Bellingham down the left was England’s most productive outlet.
But Olliewatkins was forced to live off scraps after being given the chance to show he can be Kane’s striking understudy.
Phil Foden curled an early free-kick just wide early on – but the home side could not build up any real pressure.
And when the Brazilians were stretched they were quick to snuff out any danger by putting the boot in.
But the South Americans have an impressive record against England since losing the first meeting between the two countries 4-2 in 1958.
And when Endrick broke the deadlock they were on course for their 12th victory over the Three Lions in 27 games. No nation outside the British Isles has beaten England more times.
Vinicius Junior was the architect with his pace and direct running.
And although Pickford was able to get a block on the winger’s shot, there was
Endrick to fire in the rebound.