England 0-0 Brazil

By Phil McNultyChief football writer at Wembley

Last updated on 14 November 2017.From the section Football522

Neymar and Joe Gomez — Liverpool's Joe Gomez, 20, made his first start for England

England manager Gareth Southgate said his young side rewarded him for his "brave" team selection in their hard-fought goalless draw with Brazil in the friendly at Wembley.

Southgate made five changes to the team that started the 0-0 draw with Germany on Friday, giving Liverpool defender Joe Gomez a full debut and introducing Dominic Solanke as a substitute for his first cap.

"It gives me plenty to think about," Southgate told BBC Radio 5 live. "We are in the early stages of piecing this team together and it gives me huge heart.

"We took some brave decisions and, goodness me, the young players have rewarded me with some top performances."

Brazil's greater quality and assurance in possession meant England spent much of the game on the defensive.

It gave Gomez the opportunity to demonstrate his quality with an outstanding display as part of England's three-man central defence, while goalkeeper Joe Hart made crucial second-half saves from Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho.

England found chances a rarity, although Liverpool striker Solanke almost made it a dream debut in the closing seconds, only to miscontrol at the far post.

England can take huge belief - Southgate

Southgate's side were second best for the most part but can take heart from emerging undefeated from two goalless draws with World Cup holders Germany and Brazil in this international break.

"In terms of heart, resilience and spirit it was up there with anything I've been involved in," he added to ITV Sport.

"We couldn't get hold of the ball and keep it. Tonight we just showed resilience, guts and some outstanding defending and I'm incredibly proud."

Phil Neville and an England fan clash over the quality of the Three Lions' performance

England toil on tough night

England's experimental line-up will have realised early on that this would be a long, hard slog against the multi-talented Brazilians with great strength in their starting line-up and on the bench.

And so it proved as, with Neymar showing sleight of foot and flashes of genius, they spent much of the 90 minutes at full stretch in defence, fighting for any semblance of possession and put under stress by Brazil's pressing game.

It is to Southgate's side's credit they kept Brazil at arm's length for much of the game, aided by some uncharacteristically wayward shooting from the visitors.

Brazil's comfort in possession and natural skill gave England's unfamiliar-looking line-up a taste of the sort of quality they will be confronted with in Russia next summer - and while it was, in parts, a sobering experience it was also an invaluable lesson.

Gomez and Rashford shine for England

This was a learning curve for England's team - and especially the younger element Southgate is so keen to test as he formulates his World Cup plans.

And in Liverpool's Gomez and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, he had two emerging talents who did themselves great credit in what was, for England at least, a largely attritional night at Wembley.

Gomez got his chance with Gary Cahill sidelined and took it superbly with an assured performance as part of a three-man defence Southgate now looks certain to use at the World Cup.

The 20-year-old started life as a central defender at Charlton Athletic and even though he has been used on the right side of defence by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp he slipped back into his old routine with real aplomb, showing his awareness with a series of crucial interceptions.

Southgate is still examining all options in England's central defensive area and Gomez staked an impressive claim here.

Rashford showed the fearless streak Southgate so admires with his constant willingness to run at Brazil's defence with pace, even demonstrating on occasion footwork that would not have been out of place from members of England's illustrious opposition.

Brazil illuminate Wembley

Brazil may not have brought goals to Wembley but they brought atmosphere, colour and glimpses of skill that always makes them welcome visitors.

From the Samba band and colourfully-clad dancers that made a lap of Wembley before kick-off - even prompting some neat moves from one or two Brazilian journalists - to the roars of delight every time Neymar got on the ball, it was still a night that contained entertainment despite the increasingly low-key fare on the pitch.

Gabriel Jesus and Joe Hart — Gabriel Jesus could not get past Joe Hart, who kept England's first clean sheet against Brazil since a 1-0 win in 1990

Brazil provided a different test from Germany and gave England lessons Southgate will store before he gets his squad together again for friendlies against the Netherlands in Amsterdam and at home to Italy in March.

Man of the match - Joe Gomez

Analysis - a high-quality test for Brazil

Tim Vickery, South American football expert

It's a good time to have a disappointment. It was a high-quality test for Brazil, the first time they have played against European opposition in this cycle.

They have swept through a poor qualifying group but trying to break down the English defence proved much harder. From a Brazilian point of view it looked like a potential knockout match in the World Cup, where the opponents are happy to sit back,

England nearly won the game in the space behind Marcelo so Brazil have a few things to dwell on.

It wasn't Neymar's greatest game but Brazil already knew that their hardest games will be against the best western European teams in next year's World Cup.

Hart matches Seaman - the key stats

England have picked up just one victory in their past 11 internationals against Brazil (D6 L4).
Southgate has failed to win any of his five friendlies as England manager (D3 L2) but has won seven of his nine competitive matches (D2).
England have drawn consecutive 0-0 games at home for the first time since October 1998.
This was the first 0-0 between England and Brazil since June 1977.
Solanke became the 14th player to make his England debut under Southgate.
Hart made his 75th appearance for England, just the third goalkeeper to reach this total after David Seaman (75) and Peter Shilton (125).
Hart became the first England goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet against Brazil since Shilton in June 1984.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

England

1Hart
2Walker
4Gomez
5Stones
6Maguire
3BertrandSubstituted forYoungat 80'minutes
10Loftus-CheekSubstituted forLingardat 35'minutes
8Dier
7LivermoreBooked at 54minsSubstituted forRoseat 90'minutes
9VardySubstituted forSolankeat 75'minutes
11RashfordSubstituted forAbrahamat 75'minutes

Substitutes

12Trippier
13Pickford
14Rose
15Cahill
16Keane
17Cork
18Young
19L Cook
20Lingard
21Abraham
22Solanke
23Gunn

Brazil

1Alisson
2Alves da SilvaBooked at 56mins
13Marquinhos
3Miranda
12Marcelo
15Paulinho
5Casemiro
8Renato AugustoSubstituted forFernandinhoat 68'minutes
11CoutinhoSubstituted forWillianat 68'minutes
9Gabriel JesusSubstituted forFirminoat 76'minutes
10Neymar

Substitutes

4Jemerson
6Lobo Silva
7Douglas Costa
14Thiago Silva
16Cássio
17Fernandinho
18de Paula
19Willian
20Ribas da Cunha
21Firmino
22Danilo
23Ederson
24Taison
25de Souza Andrade

Referee:: Artur Dias Soares
Attendance:: 84,595

Match Stats

Home TeamEnglandAway TeamBrazil

Possession: Home34%; Away66%

Shots: Home4; Away13

Shots on Target: Home2; Away3

Corners: Home0; Away2

Fouls: Home20; Away15

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, England 0, Brazil 0.
90'+4'
Full Time
Second Half ends, England 0, Brazil 0.

90'+3'
Post update
Foul by Dani Alves (Brazil).
90'+3'
Post update
Danny Rose (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+1'
Post update
Attempt missed. Neymar (Brazil) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
90'
Substitution
Substitution, England. Danny Rose replaces Jake Livermore.
89'
Post update
Attempt saved. Dominic Solanke (England) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.
85'
Post update
Attempt missed. Paulinho (Brazil) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Willian with a cross following a corner.
85'
Post update
Corner, Brazil. Conceded by Joe Hart.
85'
Post update
Attempt saved. Paulinho (Brazil) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Neymar.
83'
Post update
Offside, Brazil. Marcelo tries a through ball, but Willian is caught offside.
81'
Post update
Corner, Brazil. Conceded by Ashley Young.
81'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Willian (Brazil) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Neymar.
80'
Substitution
Substitution, England. Ashley Young replaces Ryan Bertrand.
79'
Post update
Attempt missed. Eric Dier (England) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
77'
Post update
Foul by Casemiro (Brazil).
77'
Post update
Dominic Solanke (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
76'
Post update
Fernandinho (Brazil) hits the left post with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Casemiro.
76'
Substitution
Substitution, Brazil. Roberto Firmino replaces Gabriel Jesus.
75'
Substitution
Substitution, England. Tammy Abraham replaces Marcus Rashford.

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522 comments

How on earth can he pick Joe Hart based on his club performance ?
Wonder when he will realise Hart is long passed his best?
Really hope these lads get a good run out. And that Pickford and Loftus-Cheek start again. If Joe Hart starts, I'm getting right back to Stranger Things 2
Why on earth is Hart back?!

Germany would have been 3-0 up at half-time if he'd been keeper last Friday.
What on earth is GS gaining by seeing Joe Hart play again. Pickford should have played again. The euphoria after a good performance on fri, is gone by going back to JH in goal.
Hope if JH does make 1 more mistake, that's it for him.
Get the kids in who are fearless please!
I'd put the whole of ,the Under 21 team along with Rashford, Pickford,Loftus-Cheek and Abraham, they are the future, chuck them in and see how they go.
yesssssss - bring through out youngsters. we have the potential to win a world cup in 8 years - without a doubt - build for it now
5.

Burnley are currently 7th are you really saying we should only pick from the so called big teams that are mainly made up of foreign players. If you watched the age group England teams you will see there are some very good players coming through who given a chance will become world class. In my view these players should move from the so called big clubs to get first team football.
Its a friendly its what they are meant for. Even if they lose 2-0 but two or three young lads leave me thinking they have got something, with the current lack of any depth with the squad and lack of competition I would be happy.
People forget that a certain Geoff Hurst with a handful of caps was not really expected to be first choice in 1966...Jimmy Greaves was our great hope...however Greaves got injured and the rest is history?.We wont have a clue whats going to happen until the first ball is kicked next year....we may well flop....or a hero might emerge?...David Platt became a national name overnight in WC1990?...
Classic comments complaining about the players brought in.

In the last few England posts, so many were calling for the U17's and U20's to be used - now Southgate is using younger players and there's even more fuss!

Get behind your team because we've got a bright generation coming through!!
Southgate is simply going for what he knows, as the former U21s coach that means playing the kids.

Certainly not a bad thing but slightly concerned that he has such limited game time to work out his first team and tactics for next summer.

Then again, given half of the first team couldn't be arsed to show up, there's not much real preparation he can do this week anyway.
What's he got to fear?.His usual team have all bowed out through "injury".If he wins it's all good .If her loses the "injured" players will take the blame.He can't lose
He's 'not afraid' to pick the youngsters in a game that means nothing but IS afraid to drop Hart and Henderson in any games that DO matter!
I'm glad, its all about the future, how many chances has the likes of sturridge, Livermore, Henderson, and others had? And they still look rubbish at international level, stop been so negative and get behind the young lads, not exactly blessed with central midfielders are we
@31 city fan here like Walker but I'd have brought Trippier back. Best crosser of a ball in the PL. Perfect for the system Southgate wants to play. Hoping with these youngsters we seen the back of Henderson and Cahill but not holding my breath. I do wonder however how Sturridge feels seeing Solan kind called up.
We need to blood the next generation and ensure they are ready to perform now, not just in 3 years. That strategy has never worked so by including younger players we are encouraging them to do well and also increasing the competition for a starting place, which in turn raises the players performances making it more likely for us to have a unified, harmonious and successful team.
its great to see the so called big names not playing and these youngsters getting their chance- they simply have more passion. although Pickford should keep his place. Pickford is excellent, and having a truly great goalkeeper allows players to play with more confidence. ie Pickford's assurance probably prompted loftus cheek's great game. Sadly, keepers like hart create a nervy feeling in defense.
Well it's just going to be England representing the British and Irish isles in Russia then. I'm glad one of our teams made it otherwise these comments sections would have been really boring. Can you imagine not being able to hurl insults at each other's countries for a whole summer? I for one hope England do well; a half decent run and avoid defeat against any minnows. All the best from a Welshman
He should make a squad from the u20 u19 and u17. Take them Russia and go for it. They are fearless and haven’t had their mojos coached out of them yet like Henderson et al have.

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