England 0-0 Brazil: 5 Talking Points
England 0-0 Brazil
Goals: Nah
After an exciting and a convincing performance against Germany, England were pitted against one of the most dangerous sides in the world at the moment in the form of Brazil. The Three Lions held their own in a hard fought 0-0 draw with Brazil at Wembley.
It was a timid first-half performance from both the sides as they each had just one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes. Brazil opened the floodgates in the second half, but England managed to contain the Selecao with perfection.
Fernandinho's long-range shot which hit the post was the only meaningful and the closest attempt from both the sides in the entire 90 minutes. Here are the 5 talking points from a drab result at Wembley between England and Brazil:
#5 England's defence stands strong against the mighty Brazilians
Against Germany and now against Brazil, Gareth Southgate opted to play his side in a 3-5-2 formation. A welcome break from the conventional 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 from the Three Lions! The central trio of John Stones, Harry Maguire and Joe Gomez were imperious on the night as they kept the likes of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho pretty quiet.
Stones looked assured in possession and also made one last ditch clearance against Neymar in the second half. Maguire continued his confident form from the game against the Germans but the best defender on the field was Liverpool's, Joe Gomez.
Starting his first international game, the former Charlton Athletic man never looked out of position against the ever-dangerous front troika of Brazil.
Gomez was good in possession and held a position close to his man on the right side of the back three. Coutinho didn't even have a shot on goal in the entire game whereas Jesus was oblivious for the majority of the proceedings.
The average age of England's back three against Brazil was 22 which has given England a number of workable options for the World Cup.