By Daily Sports on November 15, 2017

Neymar and his Brazil colleagues were held to a frustrating goalless draw after a spirited display by a callow England team in Tuesday's friendly match at Wembley Stadium.

Brazil coach Tite was able to name a first-choice starting XI, but despite the presence of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho in the visitors' line-up, they tested England goalkeeper Joe Hart only three times.

For Gareth Southgate's England, who were once again without stars such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling through injury, it was a second successive encouraging 0-0 draw following Friday's stalemate with Germany.

Liverpool forward Dominic Solanke's appearance as a late substitute made him the sixth England player to have made his debut over the two games.

"In terms of heart, resilience and spirit, it was up there with anything I've been involved in," Southgate told ITV.

"We've played the best two teams in the world and kept two clean sheets, which gives us something to build on."

Brazil have won 13 of their 17 games since he took charge in June 2016, but their failure to unsettle such green opponents raised questions about their prospects of a sixth World Cup triumph in Russia next year.

"One team was proposing the game, trying to exert pressure in a high line and play with the ball," Tite said.

"The other team was defending more, playing more compact and waiting for a mistake to counter-attack.

"In a match like this, we'll have fewer opportunities. But although we had fewer opportunities than in other matches, we had the best ones. I can't remember one or two chances for them that scared us."

Brazil created their first clear chance early in the second period when Neymar's pass freed Coutinho, only for the recalled Hart to block with his legs.

Substitute Fernandinho went even closer with 14 minutes remaining, but after a surging run from halfway, his low 25-yard effort grazed the left-hand post.

A spate of substitutions had the effect of opening up space in the England half, but still the hosts resisted. © AFP

•Photo shows Neymar.

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 15, 2017

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