Even under pressure, Brazil changes the game with substitutions and draw
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Introduction
Giving sequence to the friendly matches, Spain and Brazil faced each other at Santiago Bernabéu, playing a hard-fought match with lots of goals. Rodrygo, Endrick and Paquetá scored for Brazil, while Rodri with two penalty goals and Dani Olmo scored the Spanish national team’s goals in Tuesday's draw.
Spain x Brazil
On team’s second match at the international break, Dorival Jr’s Brazil continued to excite fans, with a last minute 3x3 draw against Spain’s strong national team, but the defensive flaws of a team with little chemistry and small training period were shown on the first half of the match, where the Seleção suffered with constant pressure from the Spaniards. But with good subs on the second half things started to get better for the Brazilians, that managed to get the draw from a penalty kick.
On the other side, Jose Luis’ Spain showed good options on the offensive side, like the young prospect Lamine Yamal, with only 16 years old, causing problems for Brazil’s defense, suffering a penalty and winning several duels. But the team also showed problems on the defensive side, with a failed pass crucial to Brazil’s first goal and a penalty conceded in the last minute of the game.
Match Analysis
In a match where both teams seemed very determined to win, we had one half to each team: Spain dominated the first 45 minutes, scoring two goals and pressuring Seleção’s ball possession. While Brazil got more freedom in the second half with half-time subs, scoring two goals at the last part of the game.
Despite relatively equal 90 minutes to both sides - with 4 big chances for each team - the ball possession was Spain’s (59% x 41%), and also shot more than Brazil (19 Spanish shots x 12 Brazilian shots). In defense, data are more similar, with little difference on duels won (54 x 49) and on interceptions (6 x 8).
Highlights
If on one side the defensive system of both teams was not exciting, the offensive one was excellent. The combination of a bad day for the defenses and a great one for the attackers resulted in a match with 6 goals. To the main duel, we brought Douglas Luiz, who despite only having 19 minutes played, managed to have 1 key pass and 100% correct passes; and Rodri, the big Spanish star, with 3 key passes, 2 goals and 95% correct passes in 90 minutes played, besides 100% long balls accuracy.
Even with less opportunities and ball possession, Brazil’s attack was very efficient thanks to the number 10 Rodrygo. While the Spanish’s attack was marked by the performance of the young Lamine Yamal, who dominated Brazilian defense. While Rodrygo scored one goal, Yamal gave an assist. Going to duels and dribbles, the young star wins on duels (11 x 5) but loses on successful dribbles (60% x 75%), even trying more. For Brazil, Endrick also played well, scoring a goal after only 4 minutes played.
Despite the offensive highlights, both teams’ defenses did not live up to expectation. The best defensive players from Spain and Brazil were Carvajal and Bento, respectively. Carvajal won 42% duels, completed 88% of his passes, made 4 tackles and suffered one penalty. The Brazilian goalkeeper Bento completed 84% of his passes, made 5 defenses and had 56 ball touches.