Gareth Southgate praises Kobbie Mainoo and England debutants after Brazil loss
England
Gareth Southgate praises Kobbie Mainoo and England debutants after Brazil loss
Endrick's late strike settled Saturday's international friendly between England and Brazil
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon started while Kobbie Mainoo and Ezri Konsa earned first caps as subs
Southgate impressed by Man Utd youngster's 'composed moments' on debut
By Jude Summerfield
10:00 AM GMT
Mainoo got his first senior minutes at international level
Mainoo got his first senior minutes at international level / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
Gareth Southgate praised Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and England's other debutants after Saturday night's 1-0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley.
Without key forwards Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, the Three Lions spluttered in attack and failed to make a breakthrough, instead seeing 17-year-old substitute Endrick win it for the Selecao when the Real Madrid star-in-waiting tapped in his first senior international goal in the 80th minute.
Newcastle's Anthony Gordon started on the left wing and showed flashes of his threat, while Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa replaced Kyle Walker after the Manchester City defender departed the pitch with a muscle complaint in the 20th minute. Mainoo then entered proceedings with 15 minutes of regular time to play, making his Three Lions debut shortly after breaking into Man Utd's regular starting XI.
Though the result went against his side, Southgate pointed to the new guns' performances as reason to be optimistic.
He said: "I thought Anthony was very good. Both sides of his game looked very accomplished. Ezri showed real composure and he should be really happy with his debut.
"Kobbie was a chance to dip his toes. To get Kobbie on the pitch was a brilliant moment for him and his family. You saw a couple of turns and composed moments. There's a bit of an indication about what he might become."
Anthony Gordon, Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo earned his first England appearance from the bench / Vince Mignott/MB Media/GettyImages
The defeat marked England's first loss at Wembley in 21 games, last being downed at their home stadium by Denmark back in October 2020, but Southgate pointed to some encouraging showings from players at the start of their Three Lions careers.
He added: "I was pleased. I don't like losing matches. I thought there were lots of very good individual performances from players who've hardly played for England. I thought our regular players were very good. With 15 minutes to go we're thinking we've managed to see a lot of new players. We've had our share of the game. We've had as many attempts on goal as they have. The difference in the end was one moment. That is the ruthlessness at this level.
“I know when you lose there will always be a negative reaction. But, given all the changes that we’d made, I thought the crowd were with the team. They could see a lot of young players going in and doing well. I'm not down on the performance.”
England return to Wembley on Tuesday for their second friendly of the March international break against Belgium.
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England's best and worst players in 1-0 Brazil defeat
England fell to disappointing loss to Brazil in friendly on Saturday night
Jude Bellingham once again impressed in Three Lions colours
Ben Chilwell struggled at left-back while Ollie Watkins couldn't make impression
By Jude Summerfield
11:15 AM GMT
England fell to defeat to Brazil on Saturday night
England fell to defeat to Brazil on Saturday night / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
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.
England's best player vs Brazil
Jude Bellingham: 7/10
Jude Bellingham
Bellingham caught the eye / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
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.
Honourable mention
Anthony Gordon: 6/10
Anthony Gordon
Gordon provided flashes of his talent / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
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 worst player vs Brazil
Ben Chilwell: 4/10
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell kept fluffing his lines / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
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.
Dishonourable mention
Ollie Watkins: 4/10
Ollie Watkins
Watkins did little of note / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
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.
READ MORE OF THE LATEST ENGLAND NEWS, QUOTES & MATCH PREVIEWS
•
Gareth Southgate makes admission on England midfield problem
•
Gareth Southgate praises Kobbie Mainoo and England debutants after Brazil loss
•
Endrick breaks Wembley record with goal for Brazil against England
•
X reacts to Endrick's statement winner in Brazil's victory against England
Related Topics
England
World Cup - Brazil
Jude Bellingham
Euro 2024
Everton FC
Manchester United FC
