Category: International friendlies

Spain and Brazil proved that the international break is anything but boring with a thrilling 3-3 draw including two penalties in the last 10 minutes that showed both sides are forces to be feared ahead of Euro 2024 and Copa America.

The hosts had the better of the first-half and looked to be cruising when Dani Olmo scored their second with 10 minutes to go after a Rodri penalty.

However, a howler from Unai Simon gave Brazil a lifeline and the half-time introduction of Endrick once again changed the complexion of the match as the fourth-youngest Brazilian goalscorer in history doubled his international tally almost immediately.

Both sides had chances to win the helter-skelter game but Rodri’s second penalty in the 87th minute appeared to have settled the score – until debutant Galeno won a spot-kick of his own at the death and Lucas Paqueta converted to secure what was likely a fair result for both sides.

Pep Guardiola – who knows a thing or two about talent in the middle of the park – made headlines when he anointed Rodri the best midfielder in the world, but as Jude Bellingham rescued England against Belgium, the Spaniard reinforced his claim to that title on Bellingham’s own stomping ground.

After missing training in the build-up to this game due to personal issues, Rodri’s emotional response to his opener reflected what had been a fizzing start by the hosts.

They harried Brazil deep in opposition territory and never allowed their guests a moment to settle in, keeping up that tempo for most of a breathless first half. However, Simon’s error just five minutes before the break was punished brilliantly by Rodrygo and Endrick – his future Real Madrid teammate – proved he’ll be right at home at the Bernabeu by smartly lashing in a difficult first-time finish to level things on 50 minutes.

The second-half started as a mirror image of the first with Spain unable to build any possession in the face of a ruthless Brazilian press but after the initial fervour wore off, the visiting defence was pushed deeper and deeper into their own penalty area while mostly restricting Spain to long-range efforts.

Dani Carvajal flooring Galeno ended what had been Brazil’s first real chance in the final quarter but that didn’t disturb Paqueta, who sent Simon the wrong way to rescue a draw that had everyone wanting a little more – especially the neutrals.

It was hard not to feel the poignancy when Jesus Navas – who played the last time these sides met in 2013 when he graced the field alongside the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Pique, Busquets, Ramos, Pique and Casillas – trotted off the bench in injury time replacing Lamine Yamal.

The last survivor of Spain’s golden generation enabling La Roja’s new standard-bearer the chance at a standing ovation after he’d seemingly given them just their second win over Brazil since the Second World War, because this new-look Spain side is humming just nicely.

Even while missing 19-year-old Gavi and 21-year-old Pedri to injury, Nico Williams (also 21) and Lamine Yamal had terrorised the Brazilian backline all evening and seemed to create a chance every time they touched the ball. Poor Lucas Beraldo was terrorised all game in the heart of defence with the only miracle being he avoided a booking until injury time as he was run ragged by Spain’s widemen.

Aged just 16, Yamal won the first penalty, played the pinpoint ball for Carvajal to win the second penalty and assisted Olmo’s goal in between while Williams was crucial to pressurising Brazil to breaking point before Rodri’s first strike both in and out of possession. Fellow Barcelona teenager Pau Cubarsi also impressed in his 10-minute cameo at centre-back too.

But Brazil weren’t to be outdone. Endrick already looks to be a star in the making though it was worrying to see him require treatment after his first goal as he seemed to nurse his hamstring throughout the rest of the game.

It will be some spectacle to see him combine with Vinicius and Rodrygo – who already look like composed elder statesmen while retaining the vibrant threat that more reflects each players’ 23 years – in club colours next season alongside Bellingham too.

Williams probably created more chances on the left flank for Spain, but Yamal made his opportunities count. Even on enemy territory, the Barcelona boy drew a crackle of anticipation from the Bernabeu crowd whenever he got the ball, and tortured Wendell all night.

There were a couple of occasions where the teenager’s range was just off but that’s nitpicking in the extreme as Yamal had a hand in all three goals.

SPAIN: Simon 5, Carvajal 6, Le Normand 7, Laporte 7, Cucurella 5, Ruiz 7, Rodri 8, Yamal 9, Olmo 7, Williams 8, Morata 7.

SUBS: Oyarzabal 6, Cubarsi 7, Sancet 6, Navas 6.

BRAZIL: Bento 7, Danilo 6, Bruno 6, Beraldo 4, Wendell 5, Paqueta 6, Guimares 5, Gomes 6, Raphinha 6, Rodryo, Vinicius 7.

SUBS: Endrick 8, Couto 6, Pereira 6, Andre 6, Luiz 6.

5’ – SHOULD’VE DONE BETTER: Can we give him the benefit of the doubt? Yamal still may be shaking off that injury but after neat work by Dani Olmo down the left, an outswinging cross found the 16-year-old in plenty of space around 18 yards out. However, he blazed the chance over the bar, so Brazil can try to build some possession.

10’ – PENALTY!! Spain are rewarded for their lightning start as Lamine Yamal atones for that earlier miss. He danced past two Brazilians before Joao Gomes brought him to ground and the referee wasted no time pointing to the spot!

12’ GOAL! SPAIN 1-0 BRAZIL (RODRI): And it’s the man who came straight back in to captain the side who puts Spain ahead – Rodri powered his spot kick down the middle as Bento dived away to his right and La Roja deservedly lead.

17’ – GREAT CHANCE! Vinicius could’ve scored there! Rodrygo danced through the Spanish defence – including avoiding teammate Dani Carvajal’s attempts to wrestle him to the floor – and found his strike partner for club and country. However, Vinicius himself looked surprised that Rodrygo had made it through the melee and put his weak shot straight at Unai Simon.

36’ – GOAL!! SPAIN 2-0 BRAZIL (OLMO): And it’s absolutely brilliant!!! Spain nearly went ahead moments ago when they pounced on a loose Brazilian pass but they don’t have to wait long. It’s Yamal the provider again as he timed his pass perfectly to meet Olmo’s run but he still had a lot to do, jinking past Beraldo before lifting his curled shot perfectly past Bento.

40’ – GOAL! SPAIN 2-1 BRAZIL (RODRYGO): That’s put of nowhere but Brazil are back in it! Things looked so comfortable for Spain but Simon let things slip in devastating fashion there, picking the worst possible pass aimed at Fabian Ruiz, allowing Rodrygo to pounce on it and disdainfully chip the chastened keep to give his side a lifeline!

50’ – GOAL!! SPAIN 2-2 BRAZIL (ENDRICK): And what a way to make his mark!!! Brazil have been so much brighter this half and won their first corner of the game, and have their second goal! The set-piece move broke down somewhat but it reached Endrick and he volleyed home absolutely masterfully to draw his side level!

85’ – PENALTY! AGAIN!! Yamal wasn’t felled this time but he still created the chance. It was an exquisite ball from the outside of his left boot that Carvajal would’ve latched onto if he hadn’t been barged out of the way by Pereira first!

87’ – PENALTY! AGAIN!! Yamal wasn’t felled this time but he still created the chance. It was an exquisite ball from the outside of his left boot that Carvajal would’ve latched onto if he hadn’t been barged out of the way by Pereira first!

90+5’ – PENALTY!!!!!!! Brazil have the chance to level it at the death!!!

90+7’ – GOAL!!! SPAIN 3-3 BRAZIL (PAQUETA): And he makes no mistake! The West Ham player has barely been in this but sent Simon the wrong way with his stuttered run-up and coolly lifted his kick into the net!!

Spain haven’t lost at the Bernabeu since West Germany defeated them in the group stage of the 1982 World Cup.

Paqueta’s penalty means Brazil have lost just twice to Spain in the history of international football – in a 1934 friendly and at Italia ‘90.