By Harry Bamforth
Published: | Updated:
England 0-0 Brazil
A huge shout of ‘weyyyyyy’ rings around Wembley.
That is because there is a rare slip-up from Vinicius Jr, the England fans loved that one.
SUBSTITUTION: England 0-0 Brazil
It’s time for the 17-year-old Endrick – you will want to keep a keen eye on this player.
He replaces his future teammate for next season, Real Madrid.
Lucas Paqueta is also hooked, so no red card for him, as Andreas Pereira comes on.
SUBSTITUTION: England 0-0 Brazil
Gareth Southgate rolls the dice with a Triple substitution for England.
Jarrod Bowen comes on for Jude Bellingham, I wasn’t expecting that chance, but let’s see what Bowen can do.
Lewis Dunk and Joe Gomez are also on for Ben Chilwell and Harry Maguire.
England 0-0 Brazil
After some technical difficulties, I can tell you Lucas Paqueta came very close to scoring for Brazil.
He tries to bend one first time into the top right-hand corner, and oh boy does it go close.
That would have been a spectacular strike. England will feel relieved to see it fly wide.
England 0-0 Brazil
There is that Jude Bellingham confidence.
He doesn’t have any options so tries to lob Bento from distance. It goes well wide, but you have to admire the audacity to try it.
We’ve seen it done by players in the past.
England 0-0 Brazil
John Stones has a pop from outside the box, and although it isn’t bad, it flies wide.
He must be feeling goal-hungry following his goal at Anfield a couple of weeks ago.
England 0-0 Brazil
Brazil are starting to grow back into this match.
Raphinha has a chance blocked inside the box and you can just start to hear the nerves grow inside Wembley.
England might need to make some changes soon.
England 0-0 Brazil
What will Harry Kane be making of this?
The England captain, who is out injured today, is watching intently from the stands.
I reckon he is thinking ‘ I would have scored today’ – which is fair.
England 0-0 Brazil
England are such a threat from set-pieces.
Anthony Gordon forces a save from Bento following a free-kick, and it was a big save as it was a good effort from Gordon into the ground.
Brazil have conceded 15 fouls… Lucas Paqueta responsible for six of them.
England 0-0 Brazil
A bit of chaos following a corner ends in nothing.
But, guess what happened next… you guessed it, another Lucas Paqueta foul.
Again, no second yellow card.
SECOND-HALF: England 0-0 Brazil
Back underway at Wembley!
I said there would be goals in this one, I hope I haven’t jinxed it, but let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be the first time I have.
‘Brazil have shaded it, for me’
Craig Hope, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:
It was a painfully slow start but, belatedly, a football match broke out after 10 minutes and it’s been entertaining ever since.
Brazil have had more of the ball and looked better on it at times, although Bellingham has grown into the game and, with it, England have shown more of a threat.
Brazil have shaded it, for me, but it feels like England will get stronger. Gordon has done well on the left so far, Chilwell less so.
Former England players honour Venables
Well, this is just lovely.
Many of Terry Venables’ Euro 96 side are in attendance today at Wembley to pay their respects to the great man.
A feisty encounter
There has been a lot of fouls in this match, and I mean a lot…
Although it might technically be a friendly, it certainly doesn’t feel like it. If either team scores, the celebrations will be huge.
Both sides really want to win.
Paqueta walking a tightrope
It’s fair to say Lucas Paqueta can count his lucky stars.
The Brazil midfielder has hacked down England players many, many times in this match.
The yellow card was not brandished for a long time, and even following that he continued to make poor challenges.
I’m not sure we will see him in the second half, he is a red card waiting to happen.
HALF-TIME: England 0-0 Brazil
That was very entertaining.
Both sides have had their chances, and both should have scored, but we go into the break goalless at Wembley.
The big news is that Kyle Walker had to be replaced early on after tweaking his hamstring following his clearance of Vinicius Jr’s big chance.
England and Manchester City fans will not be happy with that, but we will wait to hear the extent of the injury.
Can England get the win without him?
TWO added minutes
Is two minutes enough for either side to sneak a goal before the break?
England 0-0 Brazil
Huge let-off for England.
I was typing about a Bento save from Anthony Gordon and then Harry Maguire nearly gifted Raphinha an opener.
The Manchester United defender lets Raphinha in and the Brazil forward puts it wide.
I can’t believe it is still 0-0!
England 0-0 Brazil
Oooooh… Lucas Paqueta.
I have lost count of how many times the West Ham man has chopped down an England player.
This time he takes out Jude Bellingham from behind and the Real Madrid star is furious,
That’s surely his final warning, if he commits another foul I feel a red card coming.
England 0-0 Brazil
This game is ebbing and flowing.
England respond to the Brazil pressure with a chance of their own through Phil Foden, but the effort is tame and ends up in the hands of Bento.
Surely there will be a goal in this game!
OFF THE POST! England 0-0 Brazil
Huge chance for Lucas Paqueta, but he hits the post!
60 seconds earlier he was yellow carded – which came 20 minutes too late in my opinion – but the ball falls at his feet following several Brazil opportunities.
Paqueta should score, he had lots of time to pick his spot, but found the post.
England 0-0 Brazil
Well, that would have been spectacular from Rodrygo.
The ball comes over his shoulder and he looks to volley one into the far corner, Marco Van Basten style, but he didn’t meet it quite right.
It was a tough chance, in all fairness.
England 0-0 Brazil
Good football from England.
Ollie Watkins and Anthony Gordon link up well on the right-hand side with the former pulling back a low cross.
However, there is no one there to turn it home and it is cleared by Brazil. that is good stuff from the Three Lions though.
England 0-0 Brazil
Anthony Gordon has a go, and it is deflected wide for a corner.
From the resulting corner, Ben Chilwell fires wide – at least this one didn’t go out of the stadium…
This game is starting to get more chances, who will take one?
England 0-0 Brazil
I think that Ben Chilwell chance has flown out of Wembley…
Following a corner, the ball falls into the path of Chilwell, and boy does he get under it – he smashes it high and wide, of the bar.
That could even land on the moon, that’s how high that went!
SUBSTITUTION: England 0-0 Brazil
England debut alert!
It’s bad news for Kyle Walker, he can’t continue and makes way for Ezri Konsa who comes on for his first Three Lions cap.
It’s a huge blow for Manchester City also, but in terms of England, Konsa has played 15 times in the right-back position for Aston Villa this season – even though he is a centre-back!
It’s a big 70 minutes ahead for Konsa.
BIG CHANCE! England 0-0 Brazil
So, so close!
Ollie Watkins toe punts it over the bar from close range, and surely he should be scoring that.
There did seem to be a Brazil player putting him off, but I really think England should be 1-0 up now.
England 0-0 Brazil
Straight away both Vinicius Jr and Kyle Walker come together.
The Brazilian thinks he has the better of the England captain, but for some reason decides to fall to the ground when Walker goes shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
Moments later Brazil have another effort, they are starting to cause England a lot of problems.
England 0-0 Brazil
Relief for England, and Manchester City.
He was holding his hamstring and fans would have feared for the worst, but he looks fit to carry on.
Walker is the only man who can keep pace with Vinicius Jr, so it is big that he is able to continue.
England 0-0 Brazil
Great pace from Kyle Walker!
Vinicius Jr is through one-on-one and looks almost certain to score, he lofts it over Jordan Pickford but Walker is there on the line to get it clear.
It wasn’t the strongest effort from the Real Madrid attacker, but take nothing away from Walker.
However, he is down now – has a muscle gone from that sprint back?
England 0-0 Brazil
First chance from Brazil and it comes from the boot of Rodrygo.
Raphinha feeds the Real Madrid forward whose strike is saved easily by Jordan Pickford.
That was the first time Brazil showed what they are about – they do have a very threatening attack.
England 0-0 Brazil
It’s another free-kick won by Conor Gallagher as he is chopped down by Lucas Paqueta once again.
Nothing comes of it, but England are certainly having the better of these opening minutes.
England 0-0 Brazil
Both sets of fans have started the match with a sing-song, the atmosphere is loud at Wembley.
These atmospheres bring out the best games, so let’s hope this one can get going.
Conor Gallagher wins a free-kick for the hosts which is bent just wide by Phil Foden. It would have been a lovely goal.
KICK-OFF: England 0-0 Brazil
There you go, it was sung brilliantly.
There is then a one-minute applause in memory of former England manager, Terry Venables, who died last November. A lovely tribute.
And now, we are underway at Wembley. Can England heap more misery on Brazil or will the visitors end England’s Wembley unbeaten streak?
We will find out over the next 90 minutes!
Here they come
The two teams are out and it’s time for the national anthems.
I always love this part, especially hearing other nations anthems and how their fans belt it out.
It is also always brilliant to hear the fans unite in singing ‘God Save the King’, thinking about the national anthem at Euro 96 sends shivers down my spine.
New man at the helm for Brazil
As we get nearer to kick-off, it’s worth mentioning that Brazil have a new manager in the dugout today – Dorival Jr.
The 61-year-old joined the national team as boss in January, leaving Sao Paolo.
Not the easiest of first games, is it?
Mainoo off the bench?
What a day it could potentially be for Kobbie Mainoo.
The 18-year-old has lit up the Premier League for Manchester United this season, earning himself an England call-up because of it.
Will he get his chance today, or will he have to wait another time? Either way, Mainoo has a very bright future.
Predictions?
Kick-off is getting closer and closer, so what are you all thinking?
I want to hear your predictions. I think it could be a very good day for England, so I’m going for 2-1 to the Three Lions.
Let us know what you think in the comments!
Gareth Southgate: ‘I think Gordon will play really well tonight’
Gareth Southgate is as excited as many England fans to see Anthony Gordon in action for the national side tonight.
He is electric on the wing on his day – Southgate will be hoping he hits that form today.
What can Watkins do tonight?
With Harry Kane out tonight, it’s a big night for Ollie Watkins.
He starts for a second game in a row for England, and tonight is the perfect chance for him to show his club form in the Three Lions shirt.
He’s netted three goals in his nine caps so far for his country, while netting 16 Premier League goals for Aston Villa this season.
He knows how to find the back of the net, that’s for sure, but will he do it tonight?
Gareth Southgate: ‘The Three Lions is our iconic symbol’
Speaking to the press in the days leading up to the match, England manager Gareth Southgate gave his thoughts on the England kit scandal.
The Three Lions is our iconic symbol. It is what distinguishes us not only from other football teams around the world but England rugby and cricket.
In my head, if it’s not a red cross on a white background then it isn’t the cross of St George anyway. It’s presumably some artistic take which I’m not creative enough to understand.
Brazil fans arrive at Wembley
Brazil fans have arrived at Wembley in their numbers, and are making some noise.
They will be willing their side on, but the England fans will be looking to bring more noise to push the Three Lions to victory.
The atmosphere is set to be electric!
Joe Cole: ‘It’s not a big deal in the scheme of things’
Joe Cole on the kit controversy, speaking on Channel 4:
From a football perspective it is the last thing Gareth [Southgate] will want to deal with, I thought he dealt with it unbelievably well.
He talked about the fact that we have and haven’t had St George’s flags on the kit before. We’ve always had the three lions because that’s what the England football team represents.
It’s not a big deal in the scheme of things.
England remembers Venables
Tonight’s programme for the match is one that remembers former England manager, Terry Venables.
Venables sadly passed away in November 2023, and it is the first England fixture since that day.
A fitting tribute to a man that led England to the semi-finals at the 1996 European Championship
Big day for Gordon
Anthony Gordon could prove a handful for the Brazil defence tonight, he has been excellent for Newcastle this season, and deserves his chance on the international stage.
Well, tonight he gets his shot, will he take it?
‘To think, there were fears Gordon’s season was over 10 days ago’
Craig Hope, Mail Sport, at Wembley Stadium:
Anthony Gordon starts here tonight and makes his England debut – to think, there were fears his season was over 10 days ago!
The last England player to make his full debut against Brazil was Nicky Shorey… and he ended up with two caps. Let’s hope Gordon fares better than that. I suspect he will.
England Line-Up – Gordon makes debut
Well, there you go, Anthony Gordon is in from the start.
What a game to make your debut, against Brazil, it doesn’t get too much better than that does it.
Ollie Watkins deputises for Harry Kane while Kyle Walker gets the nod as captain for the day.
Conor Gallagher also starts. It’s a big day for the Chelsea midfielder, if he wants to start at the the Euros, he will need to make his mark.
Kobbie Mainoo is on the bench and could make his England debut today, that would be incredible for the Manchester United youngster.
Brazil Starting XI
I must admit, when I look at this team it doesn’t strike me as a strong one compared to Brazil sides of the past.
However, saying that it does still pack a punch with the likes of Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Lucas Paqueta starting.
It’s definitely a front-loaded team.
No captain Kane
A big blow before the match for England, as they are set to be without their captain.
Gareth Southgate revealed he is likely to miss both of the warm-up fixtures in this international break.
Who do you think should replace him in the starting XI, Ivan Toney, or Ollie Watkins?
My guess would be Watkins. We will find out in a few minutes…
Unfamiliar territory for Brazil
When you think of the Brazil national team, you think of winning.
However, that is not something the current side have been making a habit of recently.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite really, they have lost their last three matches.
They haven’t lost four in a row in nearly 23 years, and they will do everything to make sure it doesn’t happen tonight.
It will be a tough ask though, England will not make it easy.
Fan fury over new kit
The build-up to this match has been somewhat marred by the release of Englan’ds new kit.
The altering of the St George’s cross on the collar of the kit has caused quite the stir, with fans not happy over the new design.
Despite this, Nike have shared that they have no plans to change the ‘playful update’ on the shirt.
Tonight will be the first time we see England in their new strip for Euro 2024.
Fortress Wembley
Under Gareth Southgate, England have been nearly untouchable at their national stadium.
Excluding penalty shootouts, the English national side are unbeaten in 20 consecutive matches at Wembley Stadium – not bad going is it.
Southgate himself has a stellar record as England manager, having beaten 39 of the 42 different opponents he has faced in his tenure.
However, he has not seen his side win over Brazil yet. Maybe today is the day?
Old foes reunite
We don’t get to see these two countries face off too much, but when we do it’s usually a pleasure.
I say usually because the last time these two faced in November 2017, they played out a 0-0 bore draw at Wembley.
However, with the players both sides have on show, surely we won’t see another one today?
Let’s hope I haven’t jinxed it.
Welcome!
Boy, oh boy, am I excited for this one.
International friendlies do not always catch the eye, but this one certainly does, it’s England vs Brazil. Two legendary international sides returning to battle once again, this time at Wembley Stadium.
England do not have the best of records against Brazil and will want to put that right today as Gareth Southgate seeks his first win against them.
It’s going to be a great chance to see what position England are in before the Euros this summer, and what will they be like without captain Harry Kane?
Let’s get this one going then!
Key Updates
SECOND-HALF: England 0-0 Brazil
HALF-TIME: England 0-0 Brazil
KICK-OFF: England 0-0 Brazil
England Line-Up – Gordon makes debut