Match Preview: England vs Brazil: Bobby Moore Fund International
In the first of a unique series of Bobby Moore Fund International games, Gareth Southgate’s England welcome Adenor Leonardo Bacchi’s Brazil to London for what promises to be an electric night of action under the stars.
The Three Lions head into the match off the back of Friday night’s home friendly draw to Germany, whilst the visiting nation have travelled all the way from a victorious visit to Japan, making them the confidence-driven favourites.
When?
The clash will kick-off tonight (Tuesday 14th November 2017) at 8:00 PM GMT time and free live television coverage in the UK being provided by ITV as is custom for England games.
However, if you don’t have access to a TV on Tuesday night, Live Radio Commentary on FM will be available on both BBC Radio 5 Live and TalkSport, or, you can stay right where you are for all of the post-match reaction.
Where?
The visit of the Brazilians will take place at England’s 90,000 capacity new Wembley Stadium, it has been hosting international football for well over a century, no game more famously than the 1966 World Cup Final.
Tonight will spell the 12th time that The Gold Squad have visited the London Arena, suffering a rare loss in their last trip through goals from Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard four years ago.
Originally opening in 1923, the West London site was rebuilt in the early noughties and shut for around seven years whilst the attendance was being increased.
This season, for the first time in its history, the stadium will host Premier League fixtures as the home ground of Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur while White Hart Lane is being similarly rebuilt.
Team News:
Gareth Southgate welcomed three more youngsters into his Squad over the weekend from Aidy Boothroyd’s U21 side as keeper Angus Gunn, Liverpool midfielder Dom Solanke and AFC Bournemouth man Lewis Cook all made the step up to the Senior side.
This was after yet more injuries plagued the hosts, this time being sustained by Jack Butland and Manchester United defender Phil Jones, while Eric Dier will keep the Captain’s armband at Wembley as another youthful starting Xl is expected from The Three Lions but key defender Gary Cahill does return.
Meanwhile, Adenor Leonardo Bacchi has endured no such injury concerns with a fit and firing Squad ready to take to the national stadium, although the pack will be shuffled slightly from the Asian trip.
The main positive for Brazil is the linking up of Reds teammates Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino with the squad in the country that they call home, whilst Manchester City keeper Ederson could start and Neymar remains in line to be the main danger at Wembley.
Form:
The national teams of England and Brazil have met an impressive 25 times over the years, but the first encounter between the two sides didn’t take place until 1954.
Out of those encounters, the South American nation have enjoyed domination over their British counterparts with 11 wins to England’s four, the points have been shared on 10 occasions.
The last time that this fixture was played out, both nations threw away one goal leads to draw 2-2 in June 2013, the game was being played to open Brazil’s newly-redeveloped Maracana National Stadium.
Notable past English and Brazilian encounters include The Little Canary’s slim victory in the 2002 World Cup Quarter-Final and their similar win against the English holders in 1970, it’s worth noting that Peter Shilton in 1990 was the last England goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet against Brazil.
England:
The last 18 months have been choppy, to say the least from The Three Lions’ point of view, with the Allardyce saga and a turbulent start to Southgate’s spell as Manager.
But things have looked to have evened themselves out now, as England have won a sixth successive Qualifying Group and in impressive style too with 26 points and eight wins out of ten.
Last time out, a very youthful looking and much-changed Three Lions Xl managed to keep out The World Champions to earn a Friday night friendly 0-0 draw at Wembley.
However, with a disappointing FIFA rank of 13th and a diabolical recent record at World Cups, it has been over 50 years since they won their one and only Major Tournament, England fans will not be holding their breaths for Russia 2018 next summer.
Brazil:
In terms of Silverware, The Brazilian National Team are the most successful international footballing outfit in the history of the game with a Trophy cabinet almost as vast as their iconic reputation.
The honours speak for themselves when it comes to The South Americans as they hold five World Cups but have not been victorious for 15 years, four Confederations Cups, the most recent coming just four years ago on home turf and as many as eight Copa Americas with their last coming in 2007.
They are also the only country in history to have won a World Cup in four different Continents and under the guidance of experienced Brazilian Tite and World-renowned PSG star Neymar, they are destined for big things next summer.
In their last game, an exhibition match away in Japan, goals from the former Barcelona man, Marcelo Vieira and Citizen Gabriel Jesus secured a 1-3 win, with the current crop being compared to such previous legendary Squads including those of Pele’s and Ronaldo’s eras.
Who Is Officiating?
Portuguese Referee Artur Soares Dias will be the man in the middle tonight, with Rui Barbosa and Paulo Santos as his Assistants, and their fellow countryman Carlos Xistra playing the role of Fourth Official, just like Friday night, VAR will be in operation.
So, with the magical Wembley scene well and truly set and all the action from an exciting friendly previewed, can The Three Lions win it for Bobby on a night all about his achievements?
Or, can the visitors spoil the party with their electric pace and power in attack and become only the third team to beat England in 2017, all will be revealed in a matter of hours’.