Leo Pereira involved in goal, Vini Jr assists as Brazil beat Croatia | OneFootball

Brazil won its final friendly before the World Cup squad announcement

Bring on the World Cup! In the final friendly before the squad announcement for the tournament, Brazil beat Croatia 3-1 in Orlando (USA). Representing Flamengo, Léo Pereira played a part in the goal that broke the deadlock this Tuesday (31).

In the 46th minute of the first half, Croatia swung a corner into the box. Léo Pereira headed it clear while already setting up the play, putting it at the feet of Matheus Cunha. With two touches, the midfielder sent a beautiful through ball to Vini Jr, who burst down the left on the counterattack.

The Flamengo academy product left three opponents behind and squared it in classic “score and hug me” style for defensive midfielder Danilo. Unmarked near the penalty spot, the Botafogo player smashed it into the net to open the scoring at Camping World Stadium. Unlike the match against France, when Brazil played poorly, the five-time world champions turned in a good performance this time.

HE HELPED CREATE THE GOAL, BUT WAS IT A SCARE?

On the goal play, Léo Pereira landed awkwardly on the pitch. The defender’s ankle even started bleeding, to the point that the No. 15 had to take off his boot after the end of the first half. However, it turned out to be just a scare, as the player returned to the field for the second half of the friendly.

Brazil was in control of the match but slipped up in the 39th minute. Léo Pereira stepped up to challenge in midfield, failed to stop the move, and Croatia took advantage of the space behind him. Toni Fruk crossed from right to left, and Lovro Majer sent it into the net after a challenge with Danilo, of Flamengo. Goalkeeper Bento came off his line badly, leaving the Rubro-Negro center back frustrated.

However, Croatia barely had time to celebrate. In Brazil’s very next attack, Endrick was brought down in the box: penalty. From the spot, Igor Thiago finished with class, sending the keeper the wrong way and putting Brazil back in front.

In stoppage time, Endrick, who came on full of energy, assisted Gabriel Martinelli. The Arsenal (ENG) forward surged down the left, fired across goal, and put the final numbers on the match played in the United States of America.

HOW MANY MINUTES DID THE FLAMENGO PLAYERS GET?

Just as happened against France, Léo Pereira once again played the full 90 minutes. As a result, the center back is unlikely to feature on Thursday (02) against Bragantino in the Brasileirão. Meanwhile, Danilo came on in the 15th minute of the second half and was chosen to play at right back.

SO WHEN WILL BRAZIL’S SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT FINALLY HAPPEN?

Carlo Ancelotti will announce Brazil’s World Cup squad on May 18. As the coach said earlier in the week, Danilo is a sure name on the list. As for Léo Pereira, he is waiting to see whether he will play in the first World Cup of his career.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.