Endrick gives Brazil win over Egypt to wrap up World Cup preparations
Article excerpt
Endrick, Brazil's teenage striker, needed just seven minutes off the bench to make an impact in a 2-1 friendly victory over Egypt on Friday. The 17-year-old's second-half goal proved decisive in what served as Brazil's final tune-up before the World Cup. Coming on at halftime, Endrick demonstrated the kind of immediate impact that has made him one of the tournament's most closely watched young talents heading into the competition.
Endrick's goal early in the second half gave Brazil a 2-1 win over Egypt in their final World Cup warm-up match.
The teenage striker struck just seven minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute.
Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes put Brazil ahead after seven minutes in Cleveland, in the US state of Ohio, finding the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
The lead lasted just three minutes, Mostafa Ziko seizing on a loose pass from Marquinhos and firing past Alisson.
Brazil, who were again without Neymar in the squad, suffered an injury worry when defender Wesley Franca was forced off, while Brentford's Igor Thiago was unable to convert a good opportunity just before half-time.
Thiago was replaced at half-time by Endrick in a host of substitutions from both sides, including the introduction of Mohamed Salah for Egypt.
Endrick made a quick impact, turning Raphinha's cross into the net.
Salah fired one shot over the bar from the edge of the box as Egypt stretched the Brazilian defence but were unable to find an equaliser.
Brazil open their World Cup campaign against Morocco in New Jersey on Saturday in a group which also includes Scotland and Haiti. Egypt begin their campaign against Belgium on June 15.