Spain 3-3 Brazil, Yamine Lamal And Endrick Star In Classic Battle

Last night the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid hosted an enthralling encounter between Spain and Brazil. The spoils were shared as two of the brightest young talents in world football stole the show and the match ended in a 3-3 draw.

Lamine Yamal, who we must remind ourselves is just 16 years old, was arguably the man of the match, He operated on the right wing for Spain up until a standing ovation saw him leave the field in the 92nd minute. He had been threatening all game and showed some electric pace down the flank.

Yamal, who has burst onto the scene with F.C Barcelona this season, had absolutely no fear when taking on the Brazil backline. In fact, he thrived on it. It felt like every single time he got the ball he beat a man and made something happen, and he was enjoying it too. The crowd were on the edge of their seats and the young man made a big impression against famous opposition. To do so at just 16 is simply frightening.

Spain opened the scoring in the 12th minute through a Rodri penalty that Yamal had won after dancing around the Brazil defence, eventually being hauled down before he could try and unleash a strike himself. Spain were dominant in the first half and added a second through Dani Olmo in the 36th minute; it was a superb individual effort with a clinical finish.

Spain had nine shots to Brazil’s two in the first period and six of those, dangerously, came inside the box. The hosts were in cruise control until they gifted Brazil the opportunity back into the game through an Unai Simon error. The Spanish keeper passed the ball straight to Rodrygo who willingly looped the ball over him into the net just before half-time.

The visitors had hope going into the break despite being pegged back for most of the first period. Brazil fans would have been frustrated with their lack of output though, and perhaps coach Dorival Júnior was too; he made four changes at half-time; the most exciting of which was the arrival of Endrick, in the stadium he will call home when he moves to Real Madrid in the summer.

Also entering the fray were Andreas Pereira of Fulham, André of Fluminense and Yan Couto of Girona. These subs helped inject some more life into Brazil; Pereira in particular became a thorn in the side of the Spain midfield, but of course young Endrick would steal the spotlight.

Endrick scored against England on Saturday within 10 minutes of coming onto the pitch, and against Spain he needed only five. This prodigy, who has the weight of a nation on his shoulders, exudes joy and character for one so novice. His left-footed volley sailed home and made him the only player in Brazilian history to score against England at Wembley and Spain at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Spain still dictated the flow of the ball in the second half, but Brazil looked more threatening on the break. Unfortunately for star man Vinicius Junior, it just wasn’t his night. The superstar who has found himself fronting an anti-racism movement got on the ball on the left wing as per usual, but he just couldn’t find the end product that he has been so devastating with at club level as of late.

Vinicius did receive a standing ovation from the crowd in Madrid though. This friendly promoted the slogan "One Skin" to help combat racism and Brazil wore special black warm-up jackets during the national anthems.

Two other players who impressed on the night were Lucas Paquetá of Brazil and Spanish winger Nico Williams. The former was also fantastic against England and has to move to a Champions League club this summer. No offence to West Ham United, but it is where such talent belongs. Nico Williams was fantastic on the left for Spain and has been in fine form for club side Athletic Bilbao all season, he is still just 21 and will surely be on the plane to Germany this summer.

Tempers flared in a game that saw nine yellow cards given. Players on both sides were clearly trying to coax their opponents into some rash decision making and it worked on many occasions. Dani Carvajal and Endrick both saw yellow in the second period for rising to niggles from opponents. Spain were insistent that Endrick’s kick-out on Marc Cucurella should have warranted a red.

Lamine Yamal was the protagonist yet again, when he slid a pass around the Brazil defence that ended in a Spain penalty. Rodri made no mistake from the spot, for a second time, and with two minutes of the 90’ remaining it looked like Spain had sealed a deserved win. In the second period Brazil had their chances, but they were few and far between. Plus, the South American’s never seemed to have control of the game. Even on the counter-attack, for the most part the visitors had been snuffed out.

Yet, in a sudden twist of fate Brazil had a chance to level the tie late on. Lucas Paquetá, who had taken over the captains armband from Vinicius, converted from the spot in the 96th minute; snatching a draw from the jaws of defeat. They earned a fine result in the Spanish capital and in doing so completed a very respectable March international break following victory in London.

Two teenagers dazzled more than any others on the night; Lamine Yamal showed he truly is a wonderkid set for very big things, and Endrick provided another clinical blow on the international stage.

Spain will hope that they can find the right formula to go far in the Euro’s this summer; they have shown glimmers of the right blend this window. Brazil should be optimistic too. Despite injury problems, and a new manager and squad coming together, they have shown signs that success may be on the way, and they are coming for Argentina in this summer’s Copa America.