England 0-1 Brazil: The Three Lions suffer their first defeat at Wembley in 21 matches in a blow ahead of Euro 2024

• England found it difficult to get chances and Brazil could have scored early
• The Three Lions will be sweating on the fitness of Kyle Walker who is out injured
• England's Euro 2004 team was impressive on paper, but they didn't win. Can this crop do that this summer? listening to Everything takes off Podcast

England's reincarnation as the new Brazil and Brazil's reincarnation 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 billed as an all-rounder who produced a performance secured by a late win from their great new hope.

As England begin their preparations for the European Championship in earnest, a Brazil side that has lost its last three matches and been written off as a pale imitation of the great teams of the past makes Gareth Southgate's European Championship favorites look distinctly ordinary with their fluid passing and quick movement.

Ten minutes from time, they got the goal they deserved when Endrek, the team's 17-year-old star, who will play for Real Madrid next season after joining from Palmeiras and had only been on the field a few minutes, pounced on the ball. A rebound after Jordan Pickford blocked Vinicius Junior's shot and put it into an empty net.

And so, for all the optimism surrounding Jude Bellingham and Kobe Maino, who both made their debuts on Saturday, Brazil celebrated Indrik's first goal for their country as if it were a sign of rebirth, leaving England to grapple with the reality of a disappointing performance as they begin preparations for the Euros. .

England looked flat. They looked normal. Given their lack of Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, this is perhaps not surprising, especially given the pedigree of some of the players lined up against them here.

But a sense of entitlement has arisen across England in the last two years, mainly because Southgate has led England to such a sustained period of success. Thus, defeat to a team that included two of the best players in the world, Vinicius Junior and Rodrigo, was greeted by some as a disaster and a sign of impending doom this summer.

For a long time, England and Brazil were at opposite ends of the football spectrum. Brazil was the purveyor of the beautiful game, artists who played with joy on their feet and on their faces and destroyed the opponent with football from the sky.

England were the lumpen proletariat of the game, often ridiculed for their long-ball tactics and failures in technique. The perception was that Brazil liked to have the ball at their feet. England couldn't wait to get rid of her. That has changed now, but Brazil's muscle memory was still very strong at Wembley.

Southgate made a bold choice by selecting Newcastle's Anthony Gordon on the left.

Few could argue that Gordon doesn't deserve to make his debut. Newcastle may have had a disappointing season, but Gordon still managed to shine and impress with his quality and incisive running from the wing.

His inclusion in the starting lineup was also a reminder that Marcus Rashford faces a bigger battle to force his way into the first team, especially if Foden plays alongside Harry Kane in a more advanced role in the Championship. .

The match also represented a great opportunity for Ollie Watkins to cement his place as Kane's replacement ahead of Ivan Toney. Watkins has been in excellent form for Aston Villa, leading the team to a top-four finish. He also deserved his shot.

Conor Gallagher rarely gets the spotlight, yet it was he who made the biggest impression at the start of the match, just as he often does for Chelsea amid more illustrious names. He twice went forward in the opening exchanges and twice was brought down by Lucas Paqueta.

Paqueta waved his finger at the referee in a time-honored tradition of players denying responsibility for flagrant fouls. The decisions made no difference but England could not capitalize on the resulting free kicks.

Despite England's brilliant start, Brazil should have taken the lead after 12 minutes. Vinicius Junior ran to a wonderful ball over the top of the England defense from Paqueta and raced across goal.

Jordan Pickford came out to meet him, but although Vinicius Junior passed the ball behind him, Kyle Walker could run faster than a bullet and raced back to stop the ball before it reached the goal line.

He stood on the ball calmly for a moment before almost ruining the effect by driving the ball forward and hitting it directly into the back of Harry Maguire's head. It felt somewhat comical. England was lucky to escape punishment.

The early stages of the second half were tense and tense, but about 20 minutes into the second half, Brazil almost produced a moment of magic. It was Guimarães and Paqueta again. Guimarães flicked the ball with the outside of his foot into Paqueta's path and Paqueta shot it first time, bending it behind Pickford's dive but wide of the post.

Bellingham was substituted after being treated for a cramp and a few minutes later, Wembley were treated to the sight of teenage phenom Endrek, who will play for Real Madrid next season, coming off the bench.

Bellingham was booked for a foul lunge on Guimaraes and Brazil gave England another lesson in the attacking quality they still possess when a lovely exchange between Finney Junior and Rodrigo almost freed Finney Junior before falling under a challenge from Walker. The referee waved away demands for a penalty kick.

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

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

Shortly after, Paqueta was booked for another foul. Two minutes after that, he brought down Bellingham when Bellingham was in full flow. England suggested relatively strongly that a red card might be appropriate. The ruling differed.

Four minutes before the end of the first half, England gave Brazil another chance. Maguire caused chaos when he attempted a back pass and it fell straight onto Rafinha from ten yards out. Raphinha had no choice but to beat Pickford but he fired his shot past Pickford and wide of the post.

Brazil was playing good football. When Guimarães and Paqueta met in midfield and exchanged short passes quickly, England found it difficult to approach them. Vinny Junior and Rodrigo were similarly elusive in attack.

In the end, they were too much for England, and when Vinnie Junior scored again after another defensive error from the home team, the field was set for Endrick.