Five-times world champions were held to frustrating 0-0 draw by a makeshift England side in a disappointing friendly at Wembley on Tuesday.
Brazil manager Tite fielded a top class team including the world’s most expensive player Neymar, but despite the samba-rhythm that beat out from their 5,000 fans, the men in the famous yellow shirts only showed flashes of showmanship.
England manager Gareth Southgate still learned more about his fringe squad players.
Brazil cruised through South American qualifying to reach next year’s World Cup, and had won 13 of their 16 matches since Tite took over, but rarely tested Joe Hart, who became the first England goalie to keep a clean sheet against them since 1990.
The closest they came was when Fernandinho grazed the post.
England’s starting 11 boasted 208 caps to Brazil’s 454 but England players defenders Joe Gomez, making his first start, John Stones and Harry Maguire all impressed, while Marcus Rashford was a powerful presence up front.
BALL-WATCHING
The hosts spent most of the match watching the ball being played around, but the visitors were disappointing in the final third of the pitch where Neymar and Jesus barely had a sight of goal.
England keeper Hart, earning his 75th cap, enjoyed a quieter evening than he could possibly have imagined.
Brazil’s best two chances came late on with Coutinho going close, substitute Fernandinho’s shot clipping the post and Paulinho’s effort pushed away by Hart.
Substitute Dominic Solanke had a good chance to win it for England ain the dying minutes bur failed to capitalise.