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MATT BARLOW: Kyle Walker and Vinicius Jnr will hope to lock horns in the Champions League much too, but the England and Person Town ace was pressured off versus Brazil with injury

MATT BARLOW: Kyle Walker and Vinicius Jnr will hope to lock horns in the Champions League much too, but the England and Person Town ace was pressured off versus Brazil with injury


All over again, there was an embrace when the duel was around. Whilst this time, the conclusion was premature for Kyle Walker and both he and Manchester Metropolis manager Pep Guardiola will hope his harm is almost nothing serious.

All currently being very well, Walker and Vinicius Junior will lock horns in club colours in little extra than a fortnight, for the to start with leg of Champions League quarter remaining in Madrid. It is a delicious prospect.

Two undisputed masters of their craft. The Brazilian, who moves with athletic relieve, one particular of the most threatening dribblers in earth football and the new poster boy for his national staff in the publish-Neymar period.

His title drew the biggest roar of acceptance from the South American corner of Wembley Stadium when the groups were being announced.

Up against him, the greatest ideal back again of the Leading League decades, lightning fast, a match for any winger in a dash and a mature and wily defender. Rolled in with this, a minimal little bit of record and a minimal little bit of needle.

All being well, Kyle Walker and Vinicius Junior will also lock horns in the Champions League

All currently being very well, Kyle Walker and Vinicius Junior will also lock horns in the Champions League 

The Man City ace was forced off with injury, and Pep Guardiola will hope it is not serious

The Man Town ace was compelled off with injuries, and Pep Guardiola will hope it is not severe

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The Englishman arrived out on leading when they tussled memorably more than two legs, this time very last 12 months, in the Champions League.

Walker took umbrage when Vinicius tried to ‘rainbow flick’ his way previous him, and experienced a stern South Yorkshire word in his ear on the subject of respect as they shared just one of those passive-intense hugs Nigel Pearson specialises in, after the very first leg.

Then he trapped the Brazilian in his pocket as City gained the return 4- in Manchester and their private duel below at Wembley was shaping into yet another classic when England’s captain surrendered to a physical fitness concern.

It seemed like a tweak to the left hamstring as he raced again to protect Jordan Pickford and deny Vinicius what would have been the opening aim with a clearance from his own intention line.

He stretched and a jog up and down the touchline. He arrived back on and, probably sensing a weak spot, Vinicius picked up the ball and ran at him in the penalty box, sidling by and falling down, professing a penalty.

It was not and nor should really it have been, but this was Walker’s cue. 20 minutes into the helpful and off came the armband. He turned quickly to Vinicius, gave him a further embrace and designed way for Ezri Konsa.

What improved check on your England debut? Konsa is rapid, which assists. He can enjoy proper back, with loads of encounter there for Aston Villa this season but he is a central defender by trade.

Vinicius broke clear and forced the save from which substitute Endrick scored the rebound

Vinicius broke very clear and pressured the help save from which substitute Endrick scored the rebound 

Vinicius was likely pleased to see the again of Walker. On his 1st engagement with his substitution, he left Konsa in a heap on the turf and darted within but the Villa defender warmed to the obstacle.

He got near and smothered him, and proved attentive when England dominated for very long spells in next fifty percent, offering Brazil large areas into which they could counterattack.

It is a defender’s nightmare versus a ahead as fast and direct as Vinicus but Konsa coped effectively and even threw in one of people drag-again turns once the hallmark of Zinedine Zidane.

In 10 minutes of a clean up sheet, even so, it was Vinicius who broke crystal clear and forced the help save from which substitute Endrick scored. There was a trace of offside but VAR waved it by means of and a night time of gratification for England’s defensive device was spoiled.

They didn’t look like Brazil in a shade of blue evoking the Azzurri of Italy, and rather a number of of the names had been unfamiliar and nonetheless there had been flashes of high-quality and passages of enjoy when they fizzed the ball about with panache.

Silvestre Dorival Junior came under criticism, but they ended a run of four games without a win

Silvestre Dorival Junior came underneath criticism, but they ended a run of four video games without the need of a earn

When they did, they dragged England’s defensive players out of location, opened spaces and performed by. Rapid passes. One touch, two contact. Samba rhythms. Without having the ball, they exhibited the steely cynical edge normally masked by their brilliance. Every single of the midfield trio reduce down England’s attackers early on with hefty troubles.

Again dwelling, they grumbled by way of to start with match underneath Dorival Junior. The emotion was they performed far too deep, on the again foot, wilfully surrendering possession and territory to England and playing on the split.

The detail is, it proved prosperous. The late goal by their teenage feeling ended a miserable sequence of four with out a win, the kind of tangible development Brazil demand at this new dawn.

They celebrated like it mattered and this time the champagne went to Vinicius Junior, the ice pack to Kyle Walker.

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