Brazil has a new star. Palmeiras teenager Endrick’s 80th-minute strike inflicted a 1-0 friendly defeat on England. The youngster’s goal underscored Brazil’s strength in depth and is perhaps a sign of things to come for the five-time world champion who traveled to London at its lowest ebb since the 7-1 semi-final World Cup defeat against Germany at the 2014 World Cup. This summer, when Endrick turns 18, he will join Real Madrid from Palmeiras.
The 17-year-old had come on late for Rodrygo and made an instant impact with his goal to script a blockbuster scenario, taking the occasion in his stride and announcing himself to the world. This was always going to be a baptism of fire for Endrick and Brazil’s new manager Dorival Junior – under the arch of Wembley up against a team that went unbeaten for ten matches and is seeking to win its first European championship this summer.
Brazil, by contrast, was struggling in search of stability and identity after Fernando Diniz and interim coaches failed to rebuild after the World Cup in Qatar. With little preparation time, the Brazilians traveled to north London as underdogs, lower than England on the FIFA ranking, and with little self-esteem though not without the pressure that accompanies every single one of their matches.
The host had the ball in the opening exchanges and at the other end, Vinicius Junior failed to capitalize on the first major opportunity of the match in the 12th minute. The Real Madrid star galloped through on goal following a weighted pass from Lucas Paqueta, but Kyle Walker’s clearance off the line spared the blushes of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, stranded in no man’s land.
The English backline struggled with the pace of the Brazilian front three, Paqueta feeding his forwards and every Brazil break caused panic in the English penalty box. Plying his trade at West Ham United, Paqueta was a protagonist in the first half with a perfect passing rate and persistent fouling, flirting with a red card. The strategy dismayed England manager Gareth Southgate, but the Brazilians neutralized Jude Bellingham with the same approach.
In a friendly that was stop-start in nature, England regained the upper hand with Tony Watkins and Anthony Gordon getting chances against Brazil’s makeshift defence which included three of the team’s five debutants. As England’s pace dropped, the Brazilian backline had little problems maintaining its composure, both pressing and dropping deep at the right times. Paqueta’s 35th-minute shot cannoned off the woodwork and Raphinha couldn’t exploit Harry Maguire’s short backpass. In front of the goal, Brazil was wasteful.
After the break the entertainment value nosedived and the home support began launching paper airplanes from the stands. England controlled the play but didn’t unsettle Brazil’s rearguard and a procession of substitutions didn’t help the host’s cohesion. A good attacking threat throughout the match, Paqueta came closest to scoring with a sweeping first-time curler that flashed just wide off the post.
As the match seemed to meander to an inevitable, diplomatic goalless draw, Endrick struck. He ignited Wembley on a subdued night of exhibition soccer. With the last kick of the match, he could have even scored a second, but it mattered little. At the full-time whistle, the teenager lifted his arms to the sky, knowing that he had starred in a night he’d never forget. Brazil is on the right path again.