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England national football team
International Friendlies
Nov 14, 2017 at 8pm UK
 
Brazil national football team

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Live Commentary: England 0-0 Brazil - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live commentary of the international friendly between England and Brazil at Wembley, which ended 0-0.
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England and Brazil played out a goalless draw in Tuesday night's international friendly at Wembley.

Brazil dominated the possession and created the better opportunities in the English capital, but neither team could find the back of the net as the Three Lions drew their second straight international 0-0.

Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.


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Evening all! Sports Mole's live international coverage continues from Wembley as England welcome Brazil for a glamour friendly. There are no points or prizes on offer tonight, but it will be a good indication of where both teams stand ahead of the 2018 World Cup. Stay tuned for the action!

Tonight will be the 26th time that these two nations have locked horns in international football. England have only actually won four of the previous 25, although they did record a 2-1 victory over Brazil in February 2013. Their last clash was also a friendly, with that fixture finishing 2-2 in June 2013.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Wembley. Has England boss Gareth Southgate rung the changes from the Germany match? What about Brazil - how many of their superstars start? Let's have a look at the two XIs for this one...


TEAMS!

ENG: Hart; Walker, Gomez, Stones, Maguire, Bertrand; Livermore, Dier, Loftus-Cheek; Vardy, Rashford

BRA: Alisson; Alves, Marquinhos, Miranda, Marcelo; Paulinho, Casemiro, Augusto; Coutinho, Jesus, Neymar


England boss Gareth Southgate has made five changes to the team that started against Germany on Friday night. Joe Hart replaces Jordan Pickford between the sticks, while Kyle Walker, Joe Gomez and Ryan Bertrand come into the back five. There is also a change further forward as Marcus Rashford replaces Tammy Abraham. Eric Dier will again skipper the Three Lions tonight.

As for Brazil, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho start in what is a very exciting front free. An experienced back four sees Dani Alves, Miranda and Marcelo all feature, while Casemiro is joined in midfield by Paulinho and Renato Augusto. Neymar will be looking to add to his 53 international goals tonight, and there will be plenty of eyes on the Paris Saint-Germain star in London.

Neymar in action during the international friendly between Japan and Brazil on November 10, 2017© Offside


So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in London. I shall speak about Brazil a little bit later, but let's start with England. I am sure you did not miss it, but if you did, the Three Lions drew 0-0 with Germany on Friday night.

Southgate selected an experimental XI for the clash at Wembley, and a number of youngsters impressed in the goalless draw. There were plenty of reasons to be excited ahead of the World Cup, and tonight will provide another good test against a Brazil team that many are tipping to land silverware in Russia next summer. Just look at the talent that Brazil have all over the park!


England are now unbeaten in their last six matches, which is a run that stretches back to a 3-2 loss against France in June. The Three Lions breezed to qualification for the 2018 World Cup – winning eight of their 10 fixtures to top the section. Qualification for Russia was never in doubt, and now Southgate has the task of making an impression at a major tournament.

England failed to make it out of the group stage at the 2014 World Cup, before incredibly losing to Iceland in the last-16 stage of Euro 2016. It is about time that England enjoyed a successful tournament, but what would be considered a step forward next summer? Would the quarter-finals be deemed a successful tournament? I suspect that would depend on the circumstances.

As for Brazil, Tite's team will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 win over Japan on Friday night. The Selecao topped their qualification group with 41 points – finishing 10 points clear of second-placed Uruguay. They won 12 of their 18 fixtures and lost just once, which is an indication of how this side is shaping up ahead of the tournament in Russia. Tonight is a massive, massive test for England.


Five-time world champions, Brazil last won the famous trophy in 2002. They fell short on home soil in 2014 - losing 7-1 to Germany in the semi-finals. That result was a bitter pill to swallow, but a number of their younger players have matured, and this side looks capable of challenging for the 2018 crown.

In terms of recent form, Brazil have not lost an international since suffering a 1-0 defeat to Argentina in June. Since then, they have beaten Australia, Ecuador, Chile and Brazil, in addition to drawing with Colombia and Bolivia. As mentioned, Tite's side recorded a 3-1 win over Japan on Friday night.

It is once again a back five - or a back three depending on which way you look at it - for England tonight. Loftus-Cheek keeps his position after a super performance against Germany, while Jake Livermore is also selected in central midfield. Further forward, Rashford will join Vardy. For Brazil, Coutinho and Neymar will play either side of Manchester City's brilliant young striker Gabriel Jesus.


Here we go then. The national anthems have been sung, the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken, and we are now just about ready to get the action underway inside this wonderful stadium. Can England beat the brilliant Brazilians tonight? Kickoff at Wembley is next!

KICKOFF! England kick things off on home soil...

... it must be said that there is a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. International friendlies do not always catch the attention of the public, but Brazil are in town. It has been a decent start from England, with Rashford already having the chance to break down the left.

Alves has an early problem for Brazil after going down holding the inside of his thigh.

Alves took a knock following a challenge with Vardy. Looked a painful one!

Alves is back on his feet, and looks fine to continue. He will run that off!

Vardy races down the right before looking to deliver into Rashford, but Alisson is on hand to collect. It has been a very lively start as both teams commit players in the final third of the field here.

Alves decides to have a pop from distance, but his effort was always curling wide.

Neymar is seeing plenty of the ball in these early moments as the PSG star looks to make an impact in a central position. Brazil are starting to dominate the ball with six minutes on the clock here.

Pass, pass, pass from Brazil as they zip the ball across the turf. England certainly have the ability to counter-attack the visitors, but they will need the ball first. Marcelo and Alves are almost playing as wing-backs as they continue to stretch the field. It has been a very strong start from the away side.

Well, if it were a boxing match, Brazil would be ahead on points. However, England are waiting to strike that knockout blow. There is certainly something on for the home side when they manage to nick the ball away from the Brazilians, who are pressing extremely high up the field here.

Pass, pass, pass from the visitors as they look to open space in the final third, but England are staying nice and compact. Neymar cuts inside before having a go, but his effort is too high.

SAVE! Hart has to keep out a close-range header from Jesus.

England are struggling for the ball at the moment as Brazil continue to pass and probe here.

Smart work from Rashford as the Manchester United forward steps away from a couple of challenges before having a pop, but Alisson is on hand to make the save. Good from Rashford.

Paulinho strikes a wild effort wide of the post as Brazil work some space outside the England box once again. It is much more of an even game at the moment as both teams share the possession.

Neymar is the player making things tick for Brazil as he continues to work space in the final third, but England are defending pretty well as they crowd the PSG star out once again. Still goalless with 23 minutes on the clock, but it has been a very open and interesting friendly in the capital.

The flag goes up for Jesus after Neymar had delivered a sensational pass into the England box.

Brazil are purring here as Neymar threatens to get in once again, before Coutinho delivered a dangerous cross into the England box. Stones now looks to have a problem after landing awkwardly!

Stones plays on for now, but the City centre-back does not look too comfortable here.

Neymar has another strike from distance, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. England have restricted Brazil to shots from distance in the opening 29 minutes of this match.

England just cannot keep the ball here. Brazil are utterly dominant in possession.

The flag again denies Jesus after the Manchester City forward had broken into the England box. It seems only a matter of time before Brazil make the breakthrough in this one.

Lotus-Cheek is struggling for England. There will have to be a change here.

Vardy heads towards Rashford inside the Brazil box, but the ball just would not fall for the Man United forward, and the chance goes. That is much, much better from the home side here.

ENGLAND SUB! Loftus-Cheek is replaced by Lingard.

Lingard already shows his use after bursting away from Augusto before winning a free kick.

Rashford delivers a dangerous free kick into the Brazil box, but the referee blows his whistle after Maguire used his body too much at the far post. Still goalless with 37 minutes on the clock here.

For all of the talent on the field, there has actually only been two shots on target, which is an indication of the type of match that has taken place thus far. England have defended well, but they have not really offered anything in the final third of the field aside from the odd flash.

Quite a scrappy game in the last few minutes as both teams concede possession in the middle of the park. The first half has gone pretty quickly despite a lack of opportunities here.

Bit of possession for England in the last few minutes, but not too much else truth be told.

Paulinho heads just wide of the England post as we enter the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period. England have to offer more going forward in the second 45 minutes.

Neymar squeezes a low cross into the arms of Hart as Brazil threaten once again.

HALF-TIME: England 0-0 Brazil

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. England have defended well, but have offered nothing in the final third of the field. As for Brazil, the visitors have been excellent in possession without threatening to take the lead on too many occasions.

STATISTICS! England only had 32% of the ball in the first period, while they managed just one attempt on the Brazil goal - a Rashford strike from distance. Brazil, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their seven attempts. No yellow cards to report - it has not been that type of match.

BENCH WATCH! Alex Sandro, Willian, Douglas Costa, Fernandinho and Diego are among those that will hope to feature for Brazil in the second 45 minutes. As for England, the hosts have already been forced into one change - Lingard taking the place of Loftus-Cheek. However, the likes of Abraham, Rose, Solanke, Young, Cork and Cook are all still available for Southgate.

RESTART! Brazil resume the action here...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, substitutions will take place throughout the second period. I shall look forward to that.

Rashford looks to break clear of the Brazilian defence, but Miranda is on hand to make the clearance. Brilliant defending from the centre-back as Rashford looked the favourite.

SAVE! Smart save from Hart to keep out Jesus's close-range strike!

Livermore has just put Alves in a headlock. That was quite bizarre, but it happened.

Livermore looks to release Rashford in a wide area, but the pass is too strong, allowing Brazil to resume from the dead-ball line. Still goalless with 50 minutes on the clock at Wembley tonight.

Jesus releases Coutinho inside the England box, but the Liverpool attacker loses control of the ball. That was a let-off for the home side, who are still struggling to keep possession of the football.

England have a free kick in a good area as Casemiro chops Rashford to the deck...

... Maguire meets Rashford's free kick, but the whistle had been blown for a push.

BOOKING! Livermore (England) is booked for a foul on Neymar.

England just cannot get out of their own half here as Brazil continue to dominate the ball. The visitors deserve a goal for their efforts, but the Three Lions have defended their box quite well.

BOOKING! Alves (Brazil) is booked for a foul on Bertrand.

Rashford shows super feet in a tight area before looking to release a strike, but Casemiro is across to make the challenge. Brazil then break down the other end, but Hart gathers Coutinho's cross.

Little over 30 minutes of football remaining, and we are still goalless in London. There is no question that Brazil have been the better team, but England are having bits and pieces on the counter-attack here. Wen are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes.

Jesus is still down for Brazil after falling inside the England box.

Jesus does not look entirely comfortable, but he is back on his feet here.

Still no movement on either bench, but we are approaching that stage of the match. It is still goalless on the field of play, and England are just starting to see more of the ball on home soil.

Neymar delivers another brilliant ball into the England box, but Hart does well to clear ahead of Jesus as Brazil look dangerous once again. Neymar is looking more and more dangerous here.

Willian will enter the field for Brazil in the next stoppage of play. The England fans are creating a brilliant noise inside the stadium at the moment as we approach the final 20 minutes of action.

BRAZIL SUBS! Willian and Fernandinho replace Coutinho and Augusto.

Still no movement on the England box, but we are entering the stage of the match where Southgate will be considering changes. You do get the feeling that there is a goal in this match.

It has been an open game in the last few minutes as England start to commit more players in the final third of the field. Lingard in particular has been bright in the last few minutes here.

Paulinho goes down on the edge of the England box as Brazil work the ball once again, but the referee is not interested. Vardy then loses the ball on the counter down the other end of the field.

England will make two changes in the next break of play here.

ENGLAND SUBS! Rashford and Vardy are replaced by Abraham and Solanke.

BRAZIL SUB! Firmino replaces Jesus for the away side.

CLOSE! Fernandinho just misses Hart's post with a strike from distance!

Solanke shows super feet in a tight area before finding Bertrand, but the left-back is flagged offside. Still at least 15 minutes of football to play in this international friendly in London.

WIDE! Dier curls a free kick wide of the Brazil post.

ENGLAND SUB! Young replaces Bertrand for the home side.

Super challenge from Young to block a shot from Willian as Brazil threaten once again.

Brilliant challenge from Gomez to prevent Paulinho from driving forward from midfield. It is a very open game at the moment as both teams commit plenty of players in the final third of the field.

Little over five minutes of the second period remaining, and we are still goalless.

SAVE! Another smart save from Hart to keep out Paulinho's effort!

End-to-end football as both teams look to nick a late winner here.

Gomez has been impressive for England tonight, but Brazil are still threatening into the latter stages as they look to nick the win that they do deserve. The visitors are currently in possession.

CHANCE! Young delivers in to Solanke, but the Liverpool forward is denied by Alisson, who was quick off his line. What a moment that would have been for the youngster!

ENGLAND SUB! Rose replaces Livermore for England.

We are into the first of three additional minutes here.

Neymar swings the ball wide of the post following another break from the away side.

Almost a final chance for England as Walker delivers a dangerous cross into the Brazil box, but Abraham goes to the near post, and the ball goes to the far post!

FULL-TIME: England 0-0 Brazil

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two teams playing out a 0-0 draw at Wembley. Brazil had the better chances, but England defended very well on the night. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!

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Tite participates in a Brazil training session at the team headquarters in Sao Paulo on June 15, 2016
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