Brazil’s New Era Begins with Wembley Triumph
Brazil’s footballing resurgence took a significant step forward on Saturday as they secured a memorable 1-0 victory over England at Wembley under the guidance of new manager Dorival Jr. The triumph marked the beginning of a new era for the Selecao, who have endured a period of decline in recent years.
Once a dominant force in international football, Brazil has struggled to maintain its former glory. Their last World Cup triumph came in 2002, and they have failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals in the past two editions. In 2014, they suffered a humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany on home soil.
Dorival Jr, appointed in January, faced immense pressure to deliver a positive result against England. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) had endured a tumultuous search for a permanent manager, with Carlo Ancelotti ultimately rejecting their advances.
Despite the uncertainty, Brazil produced a spirited performance at Wembley. Teenage sensation Endrick, who came on as a substitute, became the youngest male scorer at the iconic stadium with his 80th-minute winner. The goal evoked memories of legendary striker Romario, according to former England midfielder Joe Cole.
Dorival expressed relief at starting his tenure with a victory. “It’s a really special moment,” he said. “But we must not lose sight of the fact that this is just the start of our work.”
Brazil’s resurgence will face another test on March 27 when they travel to Spain for a friendly. The Spaniards, who also lost on Saturday, will provide a formidable challenge at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Selecao will then play two more friendlies in June before the Copa America kicks off. Dorival will hope that his team can build on their Wembley triumph and rediscover their former glory.