German EM opponents also winless
17-year-old super talent deals England rare setback
March 24, 2024, 6:02 a.m
Without the injured Harry Kane, the Three Lions lose a home game for the first time in 21 games. A late goal from Brazil’s super talent Endrick ensures the final score in England. Switzerland, Germany’s preliminary round opponent at the European Championships, is worried about goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
Without their injured captain Harry Kane, England’s footballers suffered a setback in the tough test against Brazil at the start of the European Championship year. In Wembley, the European runner-up Selecao lost 0-1 (0-0) in the prestigious duel less than three months before the European Championships. The match winner for Brazil was the 17-year-old super talent Endrick (80th) with his first international goal. “My family is here, my girlfriend, my agents. I don’t cry a lot, I hold back, but this is something unique and I’m very happy,” said the attacker, who is moving to Real Madrid in the summer.
In the English attack, Ollie Watkins represented the injured Bayern star Kane, who has to return to Munich early due to his ankle problems. Kyle Walker served as captain. But the defender had to leave the field injured after just 20 minutes. It was an intense encounter, with more chances for Brazil in the first half. After the break, England had a better time – until substitute Endrick, in his third international match, finished coolly after a counterattack and gave the new national coach Dorival Junior a perfect debut.
So ended an impressive series for the hosts at Wembley Stadium. It was England’s first defeat at the London Arena in 21 games. The Three Lions will play their next test on Tuesday against Belgium, also in London. At the European Championships in Germany, team manager Gareth Southgate’s selection will face Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.
Summer stricken, Baumgartner stormy, Tedesco disillusioned
The Danes also remained winless: they played to a 0-0 draw against the Swiss national soccer team, the DFB team’s group opponents at the European Championships. At the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, however, the Swiss had to deal with the early loss of regular goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who was unable to continue playing in the first half after a collision with Rasmus Höjlund.
Earlier in the evening, Christoph Baumgartner had led the Austrians to victory against Slovakia with a record goal. In the 2-0 (1-0) win in Bratislava, the Rasenballsport Leipzig professional took the lead after just seven seconds. The 24-year-old scored the fastest goal in the ÖFB team’s international history. Andreas Weimann (83rd) ensured the final score.
Meanwhile, Belgium suffered a disappointment with former Bundesliga coach Domenico Tedesco. In Ireland the Red Devils couldn’t get past a 0-0 draw. Without the injured top star Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgians were even lucky when goalkeeper Matz Sels was able to save a penalty from Ireland’s Evan Ferguson in the first half.