Brazil’s emerging teenage talent Endrick clinched a late victory against England in a scrappy friendly match at Wembley. The game seemed destined for a draw until Endrick, a 17-year-old substitute, capitalized on an opportunity created by Vinicius Jr. Despite England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s efforts, Endrick sealed the win from close range with just 10 minutes remaining.
England’s performance left much to be desired, especially in defense, with Harry Maguire appearing vulnerable and captain Kyle Walker exiting early due to injury. Manager Gareth Southgate introduced debutant Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, as well as Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa and Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United, for their first caps as substitutes.
Both teams fielded experimental line-ups, with Brazil dominating the first-half chances. England’s Ollie Watkins missed a close-range opportunity, while Raphinha failed to capitalize on Brazil’s best chance after Maguire’s poor back pass.
England’s standout player Jude Bellingham endured heavy physical marking until his substitution, before Endrick secured victory, marking England’s first defeat at Wembley in 21 games since October 2020.
The lead-up to the match was overshadowed by controversy surrounding England’s new kit featuring a redesigned flag of St. George. However, Southgate’s focus was on addressing flaws in England’s performance, particularly in defense, which could impact their Euro 2024 prospects.
Despite missing key players like Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka due to injury, England’s defensive shortcomings were evident, with Ben Chilwell and Maguire facing criticism. Gordon showed promise on his debut, but Watkins missed a crucial chance, and Bellingham faced relentless fouling from the Brazilian players.
Looking ahead, Southgate will regroup for the next friendly against Belgium at Wembley, aiming for improvement.
Endrick made history with his winning goal, becoming the youngest male goal scorer for club or country at Wembley at just 17 years and 246 days. His impressive performance solidified his status as a rising star in Brazilian football, with a move to Real Madrid on the horizon, following interest from Chelsea. Brazil may lack the star-studded lineup of the past, but Endrick’s emergence adds another promising talent to their ranks.
