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England headed into Saturday’s international friendly with Brazil as favourites against a Selecao side in relative disarray.
The South Americans have flitted between coaches since their 2022 World Cup exit, having been somewhat publicly embarrassed by Carlo Ancelotti’s rejection, but the Three Lions couldn’t assert themselves at Wembley and eventually fell to defeat when teenage prodigy Endrick poked home the winner late in the second half.
Many England players saw opportunities to impress go begging ahead of Euro 2024. But who actually made the most of it and who now need good performances against Belgium, the last international game before Gareth Southgate names his tournament squad, to boost their summer chances?
Here are England’s best and worst performers from the defeat to Brazil.
This guy really can do it all.
While Jude Bellingham has earned more of a reputation for goalscoring since joining Real Madrid, the 20-year-old is more than capable in all facets of midfield play.
The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder wowed with some smart flicks and perfectly-weighted passes to set his attackers and full-backs free. It was just a shame most of his teammates failed to make good on a number of half-chances he created.
Bellingham likely would have got one of Brazil’s midfielders sent off in a competitive game, having been fouled five times, and will have some bruises to take care of before the next outing against Belgium in the coming days.
In possibly the most high-profile setting possible to make his England debut, Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon did his chances of making the Euro 2024 squad no harm with a positive outing.
The former Everton youngster buzzed with confidence and never looked shy of taking on his opposition full-back, cutting inside and getting a few decent sights of goal without managing a firm contribution.
His direct and exciting approach will undoubtedly earn Gordon more chances at senior level, though he needed a few of his teammates like Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden to show more quality if England were to make the breakthrough against Brazil.
England’s wealth of talent at right-back is not mirrored on the opposite flank. With Luke Shaw out injured, Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell played at left-back but nerves may well have ended up getting the best of him.
The former Leicester defender ballooned a number of crosses well off the mark and scuffed a couple of shots on goal.
Chilwell’s general goal threat is greater than Shaw’s and that has earned him the nod over the Manchester United man at international level in the past but it was nowhere to be seen on Saturday.
Ollie Watkins probably needed to score roughly 20 goals in England’s two March friendlies to start ahead of Harry Kane at the Euros. With the Bayern Munich star ruled out this time, Aston Villa’s leading striker was given a rare audition to impress Southgate.
However, the 28-year-old struggled to get involved and saw his only chance of the game soar over the bar after a crucial intervention from Brazil’s debutant Fabricio Bruno.
Ivan Toney didn’t get any minutes against the Selecao but the Brentford forward must be in the picture for a start in Tuesday’s clash with Belgium, with Watkins often struggling when swarmed by Brazil defenders.
