INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Brazil put their shirt on teen star and he stuns Southgate
IF EVER there was a week when England really needed to fly the flag.
After kit manufacturers Nike angered the nation by changing the flag of St George embroidered on the back of the new shirt, how Gareth Southgate could have done with the Three Lions sending out a roar,
Instead, England were sentenced to a confidence-sapping defeat by Endrick, the latest Brazilian 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 already ravaged by injuries before stand-in skipper Kyle Walker joined the casualty list after 19 minutes.
Silvestre Dorival Junior’s side had been written off before they even landed at Heathrow.
Perhaps that was why the Samba Boys turned into 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 close-range 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 outstanding Vinicius Junior had an effort cleared off the line by Walker before the full-back limped off.
Former Leeds winger Raphinha rolled the best chance of the game wide after seizing onto Harry Maguire’s calamitous error.
Prevented
And only Pickford’s injury-time save prevented Endrick from adding to his burgeoning reputation when the 17-year-old burst clear.
Southgate had hoped to start the countdown to Germany by giving the Wembley fans something to cheer against world-class opposition. Belgium arrive in London on Wednesday.
But his plans were hobbled by injuries to key players like Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and Luke Shaw.
When Kane reported for duty with little chance of making the game, England were stripped of their 62-goal record scorer.
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 Ollie Watkins was forced to live off scraps after being given the
chance to show he can be Kane’s striking understudy.
Phil Foden curled a 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.
Architect
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 gobble up the rebound before celebrating in front of Brazil’s travelling fans.
The 17-year-old came through the ranks at Palmeiras.
He is being touted as the next Ronaldo or Ronaldinho. Now he has added an early chapter to his legend by scoring the winning goal against England at Wembley.