Encounter Brazil secured a late equalizer to salvage a thrilling 3-3 draw against Spain in a spirited friendly clash on Tuesday. Youngsters Lamine Yamal and Endrick stole the spotlight with their impressive performances.
The deadlock was broken by Lucas Paqueta, who converted a stoppage-time penalty to deny Spain victory at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Spain had taken the lead late in the game, with captain Rodri scoring two contentious penalties.
The match, played under a closed roof, saw Spain dominate the first half, with Rodri and Dani Olmo finding the net. However, Brazil fought back before halftime, with Rodrygo capitalizing on a mistake by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.
The introduction of teenager Endrick at halftime injected new energy into the Brazilian side, and he wasted no time in leveling the score with a well-taken volley. Despite Rodri’s second penalty giving Spain the lead once again, Paqueta’s late penalty ensured that Brazil shared the spoils.
The game, arranged to address racism concerns following incidents involving Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior in Spain, showcased a fierce battle between two football giants. Vinicius, leading Brazil for the first time, had a quiet game, while Yamal and Endrick impressed with their performances.
Reflecting on the match, Rodri expressed disappointment at conceding a late penalty but dedicated his goals to his late grandfather. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised his team’s performance despite failing to secure a win, noting their improvement ahead of Euro 2024.
Yamal, who won the penalty converted by Rodri, earned praise for his performance, with De la Fuente acknowledging his potential. Endrick’s impact was also hailed, with coach Dorival highlighting his promising future.
Despite the thrilling encounter, both teams expressed pride in their efforts on the pitch, with Olmo emphasizing the competitiveness of the game despite the draw.
