England started their year with a 1-0 defeat to Brazil on Saturday night.
Teenage superstar Endrick scored the only goal of the game with 10 minutes left to go, his first for Brazil. The defeat was England’s first at Wembley in 20 games, since a 1-0 defeat to Denmark in the UEFA Nations League in October 2020.
Here’s how the players rated at Wembley:
England
Jordan Pickford – 6 – Was a bit indecisive in rushing out, and then pulling back, for Vinicius Jr’s chance. Good save on Vinicius Jr in the second half but he was unlucky with the rebound. Denied Endrick in injury time to keep it at 1-0.
Kyle Walker – 6 – Had a strong start and was the reason England didn’t go behind early on, stopping Vinicius Jr’ shot in the six yard box. But he injured himself in the process and, after trying to play on for a few minutes, had to come off.
John Stones – 7 – Had his work cut out for him against an exciting Brazilian attack but held firm with backs against the wall. Was the route out of defence.
Harry Maguire – 6 – Looked a little shaky at times and made a mistake just before half time to let Raphinha get a shot off. But those moments weren’t too often and he held off the Brazilian attack well enough.
Ben Chilwell – 6 – Very involved in the attack but he was just missing the killer final pass, with a few overhit crosses. Was also the man on the edge of the box taking a shot from corners, but nothing to worry the goalkeeper.
Declan Rice – 7 – Kept the ball moving in midfield when England had control, looking to dictate the game. Was the unfortunate man to play Vinicius Jr onside for the Brazil goal.
Conor Gallagher – 6 – In a middle battle with Paqueta, Gallagher was winning the head-to-head in the early stages, drawing two fouls in quick succession. Was energetic but did get a little lost
Phil Foden – 5 – Was up against a good defence so didn’t have as much influence as he would have liked. He also wasn’t helped by England favouring the other wing, and was quiet in the second half.
Jude Bellingham – 7 – Was booked early on so had to play with that on his mind, but still worked well in midfield.
Jude Bellingham's game by numbers vs. Brazil:
60 touches
10 duels won
5 fouls won
4x possession won
3 successful take-ons
2 chances created
2 shotsBrazil will be glad he's gone off. 😅#ENGBRA pic.twitter.com/4EM6BpEqkQ
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) March 23, 2024
Anthony Gordon – 7 – Making his senior debut, Gordon looked bright. He tested Bento with a couple of shots and put a few dangerous crosses into the box.
Ollie Watkins – 5 – Was on the periphery a bit when it came to scoring opportunities. Skied his best effort with a poor first touch allowing the defender to get in, disrupting the shot.
Substitutes:
Ezri Konsa (for Walker 20) – 6 – Looked comfortable after coming on though he had a tough battle against Vinicius Jr.
Jarrod Bowen (for Bellingham 67) – 7 – Added a threat to England’s right flank that they hadn’t had for a lot of the game.
Joe Gomez (for Chilwell 67) – 6 – Was relatively untested on the left, but his introduction wasn’t bad for the England defence.
Lewis Dunk (for Maguire 67) – 4 – Poor header gave the ball away in midfield for Brazil’s goal, and he just couldn’t get up to speed with the game.
Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher 75) – 6 – Didn’t look out of place in the England midfield, but he was also fortunate to not see a moment of hesitation right at the end lead to a Brazil goal.
Kobbie Mainoo is the 14th player this century to make his England debut aged 18 or under. 🏴 https://t.co/GwQD6tF18G
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 23, 2024
Marcus Rashford (for Gordon 75) – 6 – A threat but couldn’t help England get the all-important equaliser.
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Brazil
Bento – 7 – Making his debut with big shoes to fill, Bento looked composed in goal and made a few good saves to keep his sheet clean.
Danilo – 8 – The busier of the two full-backs, Danilo used his experience to keep Gordon at arm’s length. Although the Newcastle man had a good game, Danilo ensured it wasn’t better.
Fabricio Bruno – 8 – It was his great tackle on Watkins that denied the Aston Villa man in the first half, and he defended well throughout.
Lucas Beraldo – 8 – Helped keep the Brazilian defence strong and made sure the debutant goalkeeper wasn’t tested too much.
Wendell – 8 – Defended really well up against Foden, keeping the Man City man quiet. Had a harder task with Bowen, but still held firm.
Joao Gomes – 7 – Combative in midfield, looking to disrupt England’s play when he could and did a good job. Ended the match with five fouls.
Bruno Guimaraes – 8 – The king of the Brazilian midfield, he helped keep England in check in midfield and was a constant thorn in Southgate’s side. His substitution off was greeted with boos by England fans, but there will have been a silent sigh of relief.
Lucas Paqueta – 7 – England will believe he shouldn’t have been on the pitch for an accumulation of fouls, with six in total (and one yellow card). But he disrupted the England midfield well and didn’t let them take any control of the game. Paqueta also created Brazil’s best chance with a great ball over the top for Vinicius Jr, before hitting the post himself in the second half.
Raphinha – 6 – The quietest of Brazil’s front three, he was a good match for Chilwell in the air, but didn’t produce much with the ball on the floor.
Rodrygo – 6 – Did well to fashion a shot in the first half but it was easily saved. Part of a fluid front line but as a collective it was just missing its teeth.
Vinicius Jr – 7 – The danger man, Vinicius had a few goes at the England defence before sussing them out. Broke through in the first half but his poor finish was cleared. It was a similar story in the second half, only this time his shot was saved, before Endrick scored the rebound.
Substitutes:
Andreas Pereira (for Paqueta 71) – 7 – Slotted in well for the man he replaced, and it was his ball that sent through Vinicius in the build up to Endrick’s winner.
Endrick (for Rodrygo 71) – 7 – Fortunate with his goal but he got himself in the right place at the right time to bundle home, timing his run well. Really should have scored in injury time to make it 2-0, but it won’t matter. The youngest ever goalscorer at Wembley.
Endrick (17Y, 246D) is the youngest player to score for Brazil since Ronaldo in 1994.
He's also the youngest EVER player to score for club or country at Wembley stadium. 🇧🇷🤯 pic.twitter.com/gYt2Ubn1Oj
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 23, 2024
Savio (for Raphinha 78) – 6 – Didn’t have too much time, or need, to get involved.
Douglas Luiz (for Guimaraes 79) – 6 – Looked comfortable.
Pablo Maia (for Vinicius Jr 89) – N/A – A late sub.
Bremer (for Wendell 89) – N/A – A late sub.