Sam Mbonu
College Station, Texas - 17-year-old soon-to-be Real Madrid forward Endrick earned Brazil a 3-2 friendly victory against Mexico on Saturday with a 96th-minute game-winner for the 9th time Copa America winners as they step up preparation for the 2024 Copa America.
It was Endrick's third goal for Brazil, having also scored in high-profile friendlies against England and Spain in March. He will join Real Madrid from Palmeiras this summer.
Held at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, a 106-capacity stadium, the 6th biggest in the world. Saturday's match immediately showcased early pressure from Brazil after Arsenal's Gabrriel Martinelli nearly connected with a cross in Mexico's 18-yard box during the first 30 seconds.
The Samba Boys maintained their pressure and were quickly rewarded when Fulham's Andreas Pereira easily bamboozled past Mexico's backline and found the back of the net early in the fifth minute.
Mexico fought back with more attacking momentum as the first half progressed, Alisson was tested in the 20th minute by Mexican fullback Gerardo Arteaga with a dangerous shot from a distance.
Brazil then silenced Mexico's growing confidence with a goal in the 54th minute. Thanks to a goal from the Arsenal man, Martinelli who connected with a great run and assists from Yan Couto, was able to capitalize on his chance in the 18-yard box and make it 2-0 for Brazil.
The match was briefly paused in the 59th minute as the majority-Mexico crowd again marred the game with an anti-gay chant that has become a regular occurrence at Mexico matches.
Mexico clawed their way back on resumption of action with a goal sparked by the impact of second-half substitute Alexis Vega. Vega launched a powerful cross from the right flank and Colombian-born Mexico international Julián Quiñones did well to connect with the ball and score El Tri's first of the game.
Additional personnel changes in the second half altered the friendly dramatically, and Mexico substitute Guillermo Martínez made it 2-2 in the 92nd minute after a scramble from a corner.
But Endrick grabbed the win for Brazil as he continued his impressive start to his international career with a header off a cross from his new Real Madrid teammate Vinícius Júnior.
Brazil has one additional U.S.-based preparation match with a friendly scheduled against the United States on June 12 in Orlando. Mexico will head to San Diego, where they'll participate in a pre-tournament training camp.
Brazil is in Copa America Group D alongside Colombia, Costa Rica, and Paraguay.
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