Soccer Monday: Big Brazil win, Italy takes US by storm and USMNT captures CNL
Kick the week off with all the news from this past weekend
Happy Monday!
Europe’s top leagues were dormant this past weekend to make room for FIFA’s international window. That meant lots of national teams (including the USMNT) playing for either pride (like Brazil and Italy) or trophies (like the United States).
This window was important because it was the last time managers could experiment ahead of this summer’s European Championship and Copa America.
Here’s what you need to know:
3. Brazil stuns England at Wembley
Real Madrid-bound striker Endrick became the youngest player to score an international goal at London’s famed Wembley Stadium on Saturday as Brazil beat England 1-0 in a friendly.
Endrick, who will move from Palmeiras to the La Liga giants this summer when he turns 18, scored in the 80th minute, just nine minutes after coming on as a sub.
England — one of the favorites to win this summer’s Euros and without strikers Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka for this game — struggled at times against Brazil, who have also been a team in transition after the 2022 World Cup.
For Brazil, it marked the debut of manager Dorival Junior following the recent Carlo Ancelotti saga.
“It’s a really special moment, for sure," Dorival told reporters. “On only a few occasions has a Brazil side won in England which must say something about us. But we must not lose sight of the fact that this is just the start of our work.”
2. Italian fans come out for the Azzurri
Italy spent six days in the United States — first in Miami, then New York — and the result was outstanding on and off the field.
For the millions of Italian Americans who live in the United States, the Azzurri remains a link to their homeland. The result on Sunday was a packed Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, to see Italy defeat Ecuador 2-0.
A Lorenzo Pellegrini goal after just three minutes and a Nicolo Barella strike in stoppage time decided the game.
Italy manager Luciano Spalletti made 11 changes to the lineup from Thursday's 2-1 win against Venezuela. He said the week went well and was a chance to connect with the large Italian community that lives abroad.
“There were many events and appointments, so managing to put it all together the way we did between the [Italian soccer] federation and the team on the field, that makes it a very good tour,” Spalletti said. “We had some good performances, there were some things we need to sort out and didn’t have much time to work on, but these games help us to analyze and then find something positive.”
1. USMNT’s Nations League 3-peat
The United States won a third straight CONCACAF Nations League trophy on Sunday night, downing rivals Mexico in the final played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
And yes, the Americans recorded another 2-0 win against their regional rivals.
Tyler Adams opened the scoring just before halftime with a thunderbolt from nearly 40 yards out. The Americans doubled their lead in the 64th minute.
After barely getting by Jamaica in the semifinals, the USMNT asserted their dominance against El Tri and dominated for long stretches.
For American soccer, it was yet more evidence that the tide has turned. The Americans are much better than Mexico, and have been so for some time, just before a busy summer that includes the Copa America on U.S. soil.
In other news: The Russian Football Union said it’s national team friendly against Paraguay scheduled to be played on Monday in Moscow has been put off indefinitely due to the terrorist attack near the capital. At least 133 people were killed after gunmen opened fire in a suburban concert hall near Moscow on Friday. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility. … Sven-Goran Eriksson received a standing ovation and a dramatic comeback win when taking charge of a Liverpool team for the first and likely last time on Saturday. The former England manager was a Liverpool fan from childhood and said it was a dream come true to be given the chance to coach a team of the Merseyside club’s greats against Ajax in a charity match at Anfield. He revealed in January he had cancer and might have less than a year to live. Liverpool won 4-2 after being down 2-0 at the half. … In MLS action, the New York Red Bulls routed Inter Miami 4-0. Lewis Morgan bagged a hat trick. Inter Miami played without the injured Lionel Messi.