Brazil edged out Germany 1-0 at the Olympiastadion on Tuesday evening in an international friendly.
Tite’s men met the reigning world champions in Berlin for the first time since their 7-1 thumping at the hands of their opponents in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals. On the night, Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring in the 37th minute as he found space only yards from goal to nod Brazil ahead and eventually claim the victory.
Germany meanwhile suffered their first loss since the 2016 European Championships.
Tight opening in Berlin
Brazil were gifted the best opportunity within the first 15 minutes as Coutinho capitalised on poor play in the German backline. The Barcelona man’s low cross though was just cut out before it reached Gabriel Jesus.
Mario Gómez had the first chance for the Germans mid-way through the first-half as he latched onto an excellent cross from Julian Draxler but could only nod his effort wide of Allison’s goal. The chances continued to flow for the Stuttgart forward and he just failed to convert Leon Goretzka’s cross at the near post, eventually firing wide with his second effort.
Chances flow at the Olympia but Jesus strikes first
Joseph Kimmich also found space at the back post but could only thunder a header wide from Marvin Plattenhardt’s cross.
Brazil then had the best opportunity of the game to open the scoring. Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus raced away from the German defence and touch a took to come inside. The excitement must have got the better of the youngster though and he blazed his finish high over the bar.
The Brazilians and Jesus did not have to wait much longer to score the opening goal though. Willian found space on the right-wing and crossed towards the 20-year-old. Afforded acres of space, Jesus nodded towards goal and via a flapped effort from Kevin Trapp, the ball bobbled over the line.
Gómez again missed a great opportunity in closing stages of the first-half to equalise but could only put a header just over the crossbar.
Brazil dominate the world champions
There were two quick-fire chances for Brazil to double their lead shortly after the break. Willian had an effort that was well blocked by his Chelsea team-mate Antonio Rüdiger before Allison punched away the follow-up from Paulinho. Coutinho also sent an effort whistling just over the crossbar.
Jesus should have in fact got a second as Trapp flapped at a corner and presented the ball straight to the striker at the back post. All he had to do was nod the ball into the unguarded net but he appeared to lose his bearings and only served to send his effort wide.
A smattering of substitutions from Joachim Low did not give the Germans any more impetuous and they were not quite able to create enough chances to equalise against their visitors. As a result, Brazil closed out an impressive victory.
Final Thoughts
Whilst the score-line suggests a relatively even clash in Berlin, Brazil were excellent value for their victory. The visitors created plenty of clear opportunities and defended extremely well to keep out a clearly talented German outfit.
Meanwhile, Löw will be disappointed at Germany’s wastefulness on the night. Mario Gomez was the most guilty after heading wide on a few occasions. Although it may have been unjust had Brazil not earned anything other than a victory in Berlin.
Match Report
Germany: Trapp (5); Kimmich (6), Boateng (6) (Süle (6), 69′), Rüdiger (7), Plattenhardt (6); Gündoğan (6) (Werner (N/A), 81′), Kroos (6); Draxler (7), Goretzka (6) (Brandt (5), 61′), Sané (5) (Stindl (5), 61′); Gómez (6) (Wagner (6), 62′).
Brazil: Allison (6); D. Alves (7); Silva (7), Miranda (6), Marcelo (6); Fernandinho (7); Casemiro (7), Paulinho (7); Willian (7), Coutinho (7) (Costa (6), 73′), Jesus (8).
Goals: Jesus (37′)
Referee: Jonas Eriksson
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
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