No goals, but no shortage of gusto
A second 0-0 draw in succession for England in their final games at Wembley Stadium in 2017, but as with Friday’s match with Germany, there was no shortage of entertainment for a lively crowd of over 84,000. With a steady samba beat coming from a large Brazilian presence throughout the game and both sets of fans unable to take their eyes off the action for fear of missing something special, the game was just shy of a goal or two to give it more. And how special it could’ve been for debutant Dom Solanke, who almost won it for England when he was picked out by fellow sub Ashley Young at the far post only to be denied by a fine block from Brazil keeper Alisson in the dying stages.
Neymar’s night?
As the world’s most expensive footballer, the box-office presence of Neymar was always going to be of interest, with the screams from the crowd and camera flashes every time he touched the ball in the opening stages ensuring no-one needed any further reminder. And the Paris Saint-Germain forward largely lived up to the billing, enjoying more touches of the ball than most and causing the England defence no end of problems. If we’re being picky though, his shooting didn’t match his silky build-up play, with the former Barcelona man missing the target on a number of occasions.
Shot-shy Samba boys
For all of their possession, high intensity pressing and one-touch play in the final third, Brazil couldn’t match that in terms of attempts on target. With Joe Hart only forced into a first-half block to stop Gabriel Jesus’s cross-shot and beating away Paulinho’s late powerdrive with his chest, the South Americans never turned their guile into goals. A habit of over-playing or flopping to the floor all too easily whenever in close proximity to the area perhaps didn’t help their cause.
Rashford’s rise
Marcus Rashford’s growing presence up front was one of England’s bright points, with the Manchester United man leading the line with distinction against a physical Brazilian defence. And he forced the first real save of the game with a low shot from 25-yards testing Alisson in the 18th minute. And the ball just wouldn’t drop for him in the box before the break after Ryan Bertrand’s cross was nodded back to him by strike partner Jamie Vardy. The 20-year-old then dazzled with his own skills just before the hour-mark, flicking the ball past Marcelo and Miranda in a swift movement before Casemiro managed to make a timely block in the box.
Good job Gomez
It was his full England debut. Against Brazil. In front of a sold-out Wembley Stadium. But that had no effect on Joe Gomez, who was the pick of the Three Lions’ defence. Calm and measured in possession and un-flustered by the constant threat of Neymar on his side of the rearguard, the Liverpool youngster looked every inch the modern-day international defender. His senior selection may have raised eye-brows ten days ago but with Gareth Southgate having followed his international pathway since he was part of the U17s team who won the Euros in 2014 and also coached him at U21 level two years ago, he knew more than most of the former Charlton Athletic youngster’s ability. A fine night for the Lewisham boy ended when he was named as man-of-the-match.
England (3-5-2): 1 Joe Hart (West Ham United – on loan from Manchester City); 4 Joe Gomez (Liverpool), 5 John Stones (Manchester City), 6 Harry Maguire (Leicester City); 2 Kyle Walker (Manchester City), 7 Jake Livermore (West Bromwich Albion), 8 Eric Dier (capt; Tottenham Hotspur), 10 Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Crystal Palace – on loan from Chelsea), 3 Ryan Bertrand (Southampton); 9 Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), 11 Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).
Substitutes: 20 Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) for Loftus-Cheek 35, 22 Dominic Solanke (Liverpool) for Vardy 75, 21 Tammy Abraham (Swansea City – on loan from Chelsea) for Rashford 76, 18 Ashley Young (Manchester United) for Bertrand 80, 14 Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur) for Livermore 90
Substitutes not used: 12 Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), 13 Jordan Pickford (Everton), 15 Gary Cahill (Chelsea), 16 Michael Keane (Everton), 17 Jack Cork (Burnley), 19 Lewis Cook (AFC Bournemouth), 23 Angus Gunn (Norwich City – on loan from Manchester City).
Manager: Gareth Southgate
Cautions: Jake Livermore 54
Brazil: 1 Alisson, 2 Dani Alves (capt), 3 Miranda, 5 Casemiro, 8 Renato Augusto, 9 Gabriel Jesus, 10 Neymar, 11 Philippe Coutinho, 12 Marcelo, 13 Marquinhos, 15 Paulinho.
Substitutes: 19 Willian for Coutinho 68, 17 Fernandinho for Fernando Augusto 68, 21 Firmino for Jesus 76
Substitutes not used: 4 Jemerson, 6 Alex Sandro, 7 Douglas Costa, 14 Thiago Silva, 16 Cassio, 18 Giuliano, 20 Diego, , 22 Danilo, 23 Ederson, 24 Taison, 25 Diego Souza.
Head coach: Tite
Cautions: Dani Alves 55
Referee: Artur Dias (POR)
Attendance: 84,595
