Endrick is considered the great hope of Brazilian soccer, who has now dramatically failed with his team at the Copa America – in a penalty shoot-out against Uruguay. Why exactly? The 17-year-old striker’s pass rate suggests it
Brazil coach Dorival Silvestre Junior decided to make a change in attack ahead of the eagerly awaited Copa America quarter-final against Uruguay and sent his 17-year-old gem Endrick onto the pitch at the Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas) from the start.
However, what was supposed to be a stroke of luck turned out to be the wrong decision afterwards with the team losing the penalty shoot-out (2:4). Of course, this is not necessarily Endrick’s fault.
Nevertheless, the future Real Madrid player’s performance – his transfer from Palmeiras Sao Paulo for over €70 million is imminent this summer after he turns 18 on July 21 – spoke volumes. And not good ones either
One out of five
His teammates were unable to connect with the youngster for the full 90 minutes of the match, before the final thriller went straight to extra time at 0-0.
In front of the likes of Rodrygo, Raphinha and Lucas Paqueta, Endrick (no goals), who had come on as a substitute on each of the first three Copa matchdays, was completely up in the air. The most devastating aspect: According to Opta Analyst, the future Madrilenean only managed five (!) passes during his 90 minutes – and only one (!) of them reached a teammate.
When exactly was this one successful pass played by Endrick? At the Brazil kick-off
“Commitment and fighting spirit “
However, Brazil head coach Dorival Silvestre Junior did not want to blame Endrick or his other players after the sudden exit against Uruguay: “They showed commitment and fighting spirit. The team was always courageous. And I think we had more positives than negatives at the end of the day.” Nevertheless, it was not enough, even though the favorites were outnumbered from the 74th minute onwards after Nahitan Nandez was sent off following video evidence. Dorival Junior commented: “The fact that we didn’t take our chances despite being outnumbered will be analyzed.” In the end, his team had not developed enough pressure, too little danger – also because Endrick never had a connection to the game
And so the proud soccer nation continues to wait for a return to its former glory days. Although Brazil only won the Copa America for the ninth time in 2019, the country has been waiting for its sixth World Cup title since 2002, over 20 years ago.
