The dusk that has shrouded Brazilian football for so long seems to be dissipating. This Saturday, at the iconic Wembley Stadium, Brazil took to the field under the guidance of Dorival Jr. for the first time, signaling the dawn of a new era with a remarkable performance against the Three Lions. Defeating England on their home turf is no small feat!
Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, has languished as a formidable force on the international stage for nearly two decades. It’s been almost 22 years since their last World Cup triumph, which occurred in Korea and Japan. Consequently, they no longer command the same level of global reverence they once did during the eras of Ronaldo or Pele.
In recent years, their plight has only worsened. During the 2014 World Cup, which they hosted and were considered strong contenders to win, they suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat to eventual champions Germany in the semi-finals. In the subsequent two editions, they failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals, further denting their once-stellar reputation.
Last year marked a significant downturn for Brazil, as they experienced more losses than victories for the first time since 1963. Out of nine matches played, they secured only three wins, suffered five defeats, and settled for one draw. Notably, their triumphs came against comparatively weaker opponents such as Guinea, Bolivia, and Peru. Conversely, their losses, especially against Morocco and Senegal, were particularly humiliating setbacks.
Facing England on Saturday, Dorival Jr. undoubtedly faced immense pressure to deliver. His appointment to the role came in January of the current year, making him Brazil’s first full-time manager since Tite stepped down after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Brazil’s campaign in Qatar ended disappointingly with a defeat to Croatia in the quarter-finals, prompting Tite’s departure from the helm.
One might have assumed that finding a replacement would have been straightforward, but that wasn’t the case. The Brazilian Football Confederation embarked on a tumultuous journey, trying out two caretaker managers, Ramon Menezes and Fernando Diniz, at different intervals. Their attempts to secure Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti fell through, leaving them with a sense of embarrassment. Their president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, had confidently announced in July of the previous year that Ancelotti would take the helm ahead of the 2024 Copa America. However, after over a year of uncertainty, they ultimately settled on Dorival.
On Saturday, Dorival’s team delivered an impressive performance. In the international friendly, it seemed destined for a draw until teenage sensation Endrick seized an opportunity, scoring from a rebound in the 80th minute to secure a memorable 1-0 victory for the Selecao. Endrick, who came on as a substitute, drew comparisons from experts—former England midfielder Joe Cole, to be precise—to the legendary 1994 World Cup winner, Romario.
At just 17 years and 246 days old, Endrick became the youngest male scorer at Wembley, as well as the youngest to score for Brazil since Ronaldo in 1994. His debut for the Selecao against Colombia in the World Cup qualifiers last November marked him as the youngest player since Ronaldo to don the national team jersey.
Given the background, especially since the 2022 World Cup, which hasn’t inspired much confidence, it’s no wonder Dorival is relieved to kick off his tenure with a win. “It’s a truly special moment, no doubt. Winning in England is a rare feat, which speaks volumes about us. However, we must remember that this is just the beginning of our journey,” remarked the manager after the match.
Next, Brazil heads to Spain for another friendly on March 27, posing another significant test for Dorival’s squad. Although Spain suffered a defeat to Colombia on Saturday, playing at home, specifically at the Santiago Bernabeu, will present a formidable challenge. Following this, Brazil has a couple of friendlies scheduled in June, just before the Copa America kicks off. Dorival will be banking on the Selecao returning with two significant victories, as the confidence gained from these wins could breathe new life into the team and mark the start of their journey back to the glory days, without a doubt.
