England 0-1 Brazil: Teenager Endrick scores late to hand Three Lions rare Wembley defeat
Endrick, a seventeen-year-old prodigy, scored his first goal for Brazil, giving the struggling South Americans a 1-0 victory over England at Wembley Stadium in coach Dorival Junior's debut.
Endrick, a substitute who is set to join Real Madrid from Palmeiras, scored in the 80th minute after England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford could only parry a Vinicius Jr. shot.
At the age of 17 years and 246 days, he became the youngest male player to score an international goal at Wembley.
"It's a unique feeling. I'm still processing it," Endrick told Brazil's Globo television. "I'm not much of a crier, I'm holding back, but it's something unique and I'm very happy."
The South Americans, who struggled in their World Cup qualifiers and gave debuts to five players in their starting lineup due to key player injuries, created the majority of the best chances, including Lucas Paqueta's 35th-minute shot that hit the post.
England, missing captain Harry Kane and other regulars, barely tested Bento, who was making his first appearance for Brazil in goal, despite coach Gareth Southgate's preference for an attacking lineup as he prepares for Euro 2024.
In Kane's absence, Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins struggled to make an impact, and Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon had England's best chances.
The game appeared to be heading for a stalemate until Endrick's breakthrough. The teenager had a chance to score again in the dying seconds, but Pickford saved with his feet.
Real Madrid outbid other top clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United, for the young Brazilian before he signed a contract with the Spanish club in late 2022, which will see him move to Madrid in July, according to reports.
Southgate said Endrick had a "brilliant moment," but his defenders failed to deal with the threat.
He said he was pleased with his team's overall performance, particularly the players who stepped up to replace England's regular starters.
"The difference in the end was one moment really, and that is the ruthlessness of football at this level," Southgate told reporters.
When asked about Kane's injury, the England coach stated that he would not recover in time for Tuesday's friendly against Belgium at Wembley. Brazil play Spain in Madrid on the same day.
SportsLigue