England 0-1 Brazil: Three Lions suffer their first defeat at Wembley in 21 games in a blow ahead of Euro 2024 – as teenage sensation Endrick, 17, scores his maiden international goal for the visitors

The reincarnation of England as the new Brazil and the reincarnation of Brazil as the new England will have to wait. The kings of the Beautiful Game proved annoyingly reluctant to cede what was left of their reputation to an England side touted as a team full of talent and a confident performance with a late winner of their great new hope.

As England began their build-up to the European Championship in earnest, a Brazilian team that had lost their last three games and been written off as a pale imitation of the great sides of the past made Gareth Southgate’s European Championship favorites look decidedly ordinary . their smooth passing and quicksilver movement.

Ten minutes from time they got the goal they deserved when Endrick, their 17-year-old sensation, who will play for Real Madrid next season after signing from Palmeiras and had only been on the pitch for a few minutes, pounced on a loose ball after Jordan Pickford had saved from Vinicius Jr and rolled it into an empty net.

And so, for all the optimism surrounding Jude Bellingham and Kobbie Mainoo, who made his debut on Saturday, Brazil rightly celebrated Endrick’s first goal for his country as if it were a sign of rebirth, and England were left to grapple with the reality of a disappointing performance in the run-up to the European Championships.

England seemed flat. They looked ordinary. Considering they were missing Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, perhaps that wasn’t a surprise, especially given the pedigree of some of the players who lined up against them here.

But a sense of entitlement has emerged in England over the past two years, especially as Southgate has led England to such a sustained period of success. And so the defeat against a side with two of the best players in the world, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, was greeted by some as a disaster and a sign of impending doom this summer.

England and Brazil have long been at opposite ends of the football spectrum. Brazil was the purveyor of the Beautiful Game, artists who played with joy in their feet and on their faces, destroying the opposition with football from heaven.

England were the lumpenproletariat of the game, often mocked for their long-ball tactics and their shortcomings in technique. The perception was that Brazil liked having the ball at their feet. England couldn’t wait to get rid of it. That has changed now, but Brazil’s muscle memory was still too much at Wembley.

Southgate had made a bold selection by choosing Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon on the left.

Few could argue that Gordon didn’t deserve a debut. Newcastle may have had a disappointing season, but Gordon has still managed to shine and impress with his quality and sharp running from the flank.

His inclusion in the starting line-up was also a reminder that Marcus Rashford faces even more battle to force his way into the first team, especially if Foden plays alongside Harry Kane in a more advanced role at the tournament. .

The match also provided a great opportunity for Ollie Watkins to cement his place as Kane’s understudy ahead of Ivan Toney. Watkins was in excellent form for Aston Villa and led their progress into the top four. He also deserved his chance.

The spotlight rarely seems to fall on Conor Gallagher and yet it was he who made the strongest impression when the match started, just as he often does at Chelsea among more stars. Twice he shot forward in the opening exchanges and twice he was brought down by Lucas Paqueta.

Paqueta waved his finger at the referee, in the time-honored tradition of players denying responsibility for blatant fouls. It made no difference to the decisions, but England were unable to capitalize on the resulting free-kicks.

Despite England’s good start, Brazil should have taken the lead after twelve minutes. Vinicius Jr. ran to a beautiful ball over Paqueta’s English defense and sprinted through on goal.

Jordan Pickford came out to meet him, but even though Vinicius Jr. the ball past him, Kyle Walker can run faster than a bullet and he ran back to stop the ball before it reached the line.

He stood calmly on the ball for a moment before almost ruining the effect by chipping the ball forward and hitting it straight into the back of Harry Maguire’s head. It felt quite comical. England was lucky to get away with it.

The opening stages of the second half were formless and turgid, but almost twenty minutes later Brazil almost produced a moment of magic. It was Guimaraes and Paqueta again. Guimaraes curled the ball into Paqueta’s path with the outside of his foot and Paqueta hit it for the first time, bending the ball past Pickford’s dive but just wide of the post.

Bellingham was substituted after being treated for cramps and minutes later Wembley was treated to the sight of teenage phenomenon Endrick, who will play for Real Madrid next season, coming off the bench.

Bellingham was booked for a mistimed strike on Guimaraes and Brazil gave England another lesson in the attacking quality they still possess when a lovely exchange between Vini Jr and Rodrygo almost set Vini Jr free before he fell under Walker’s challenge. The referee waved away claims for a penalty.

Watkins missed a sharp chance at the other end after Gallagher lifted the ball to him, but England – and Manchester City – were dealt a blow midway through the half when Walker was forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. City plays Arsenal on Sunday and Real Madrid on Tuesday. They desperately hope the injury doesn’t keep him out.

England had another lucky escape ten minutes before the break when the ball fell to Paqueta in a crowded England penalty area and he curled a left-foot shot against the post with Pickford well beaten.

Shortly afterwards, Paqueta received another yellow card for yet another foul. Two minutes later he brought down Bellingham when Bellingham was at full strength. England suggested relatively strongly that a red card might be appropriate. The referee disagreed.

Four minutes before half-time, England gave Brazil another chance. Maguire made a terrible mess of an attempted backpass and it fell straight to Raphinha ten yards away. Raphinha only had Pickford to beat, but he dragged his shot over Pickford and wide of the post.

Brazil played good football. When Guimaraes and Paqueta combined in midfield with quick exchanges of short passes, England found it difficult to get near them. Vini Jr and Rodrygo were also elusive in attack.

Ultimately, they were too much for England and when Vini Jr made another breakthrough after another defensive error from the home side, the stage was set for Endrick.