Brazil youngster and future Real Madrid player Endrick was the star of the show at Wembley Stadium after helping the Selecao secure a 1-0 victory over England on Saturday.
The youngster, who won’t turn 18 until the summer, came off the bench to net the only goal of the game, helping new coach Dorival Jr begin his adventure on the Canarinha bench with a prestigious win.
Both teams turned to some fresh faces for the encounter, with England opting to start Ollie Watkins ahead of Ivan Toney with Harry Kane out. Anthony Gordon was handed his senior debut, while Brazil’s team featured Premier League names in the shape of Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta and Joao Gomes.
The first chance fell to Brazil when the England defence backed off Rodrygo, but his strike from 20 yards out was well held by Jordan Pickford.
Brazil really should have opened the scoring after 15 minutes after Lucas Paqueta played in Vinicius Jr. While the Real Madrid star has been in great form for the Spanish giants, he didn’t replicate that at Wembley by firing a weak effort that the England defence easily cleared.
Manchester City fans were on alert when Kyle Walker, who seemed to be struggling with a hamstring problem for several minutes, was finally forced off after 20 minutes. Ezri Konsa came on in his place in what was his senior England debut.
England finally put together some possession after that, but it was Brazil who came close again when Paqueta sent Pickford the wrong way, only to see his shot from the edge of the area come back off the post.
The home side finally tested Bento, who was making his debut in the Brazilian goal, in the 41st minute when Gordon sent a curling effort that was well-saved by the Athletico Paranaense shot-stopper.
The two teams began the second half much like the first, with neither side able to carve out any real chances. Jude Bellingham tried a lob from 35 yards out that failed to hit the mark, while Paqueta hit a curling first-time strike from outside the box that just went wide.
Endrick makes his mark
From there the two coaches turned to their benches, with Garrett Southgate bringing on, amongst others, the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Lewis Dunk and Kobbie Mainoo, while Brazil brought on 17-year-old future Real Madrid player Endrick, Andreas Pereira and Douglas Luiz at various stages.
The substitutes didn’t provide an immediate injection of life into the game, but that all changed in the 80th minute when Endrick announced himself to the world.
Vinicius Jr was sent in on goal after a ball over the top, but after his strike was denied by Pickford, the youngster did well to follow the play before slotting home into an empty net for his first goal with the Brazilian national team in his third cap.
England couldn’t muster anything in the closing minutes, as audible boos could be heard after a toothless display by Southgate’s men.