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Published By: Sports Desk
Last Updated: March 28, 2024, 12:01 AM IST
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Endrick had the ball in his hands and looked ready to take the late penalty that would have leveled Brazil in their friendly against Spain.
MADRID: Endrick had the ball in his hands and looked set to take the late penalty that would give Brazil a draw in their friendly against Spain.
It was an opportunity for his second goal of the game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
After a few words with Lucas Paquetá, however, 17-year-old Endrick handed the ball to his team-mate, who converted a stoppage-time penalty for a 3-3 draw on Tuesday.
The crowd at the Bernabeu were not happy when Endrick stepped back and gave the ball away. Many Spanish and Brazilian fans joined together and jeered. They wanted to see the newest football sensation step up for the big occasion.
It hasn’t taken long for fans to start falling in love with Endrick, the new Brazilian star who has had a great start with the Brazilian national team and already has Real Madrid fans excited about him joining the Spanish club the next term.
Endrick has two goals in two games for Brazil after scoring in Tuesday’s friendly at Real Madrid’s stadium, just three days after netting the only goal on his national team debut in a 1-0 win at against England at Wembley Stadium. That made him the youngest men’s player to score an international goal at the famous London venue.
“I felt very calm,” Endrick told Brazilian media after the draw against Spain. “I had only (previously) entered the Bernabeu to take some pictures, and today I was here to play. I’m extremely happy.”
Endrick was making only his fourth appearance for Brazil’s senior team. The player from Brazilian club Palmeiras was sold to Madrid for more than 40 million euros ($43.3 million) and will reach the end of the season after turning 18 years old. But he had already looked at home at the Spanish club’s stadium.
“Endrick presented to the Bernabeu in great style,” said the sports daily Marca.
Endrick came on as a half-time substitute and scored from inside the area in the 50th minute to level the game at 2-2 after Spain had taken a 2-0 lead in the international friendly ” One Skin”, which was installed to highlight the fight against racism after a series of insults aimed at Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior.
“Vini talked to me about how we need to put Brazil back on top, where it should never have left,” Endrick said. “And to do that we need to keep winning games and championships. We won’t be able to win every game, but it won’t be because of a lack of determination.”
After the match, Endrick ran to hug his girlfriend and his relatives, and thanked his “family for always being there with me, especially during the difficult times.”
Endrick also met Real Madrid club president Florentino Pérez, along with Vinícius and Rodrygo, the Madrid player who also scored on Tuesday.
“We’re waiting for you here,” Pérez said to Endrick.
PRAISE YAMAL
While fans from Brazil and Madrid were excited for Endrick, fans from Spain and Barcelona praised Lamine Yamal for his performance in the friendly match.
The 16-year-old forward was one of the game’s best players, troubling Brazil’s defense from the start with his speed and nice moves in one-on-one situations.
Yamal, who has already become a regular for the Spanish national team despite his age, received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Bernabeu when he was substituted in the second half.
NO PLACE
Brazil was not happy with the refereeing during Tuesday’s friendly and complained about the two penalties awarded to Spain.
Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president of Brazil’s football federation, said his national team will not play again in matches without a video review system in place.
However, VAR could also have benefited Spain with a possible red card for Endrick following his foul on Marc Cucurella in the second half. Endrick’s tackle from behind on Cucurella angered the Spanish bench and prompted Vinícius to come out to defend his team-mate on the touchline.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)
