CLEVELAND, Ohio – It wasn’t always pretty, but it was effective. Brazil wrapped up their preparatory schedule for the 2026 World Cup with a nervy 2-1 victory over a spirited Egyptian side at Huntington Bank Field on Saturday night.
While the Seleção ultimately got the result they needed, the game raised as many questions as it answered, with defensive lapses and an injury scare providing plenty of drama for manager Dorival Júnior.
The Perfect Start… and the Immediate Collapse
For the first seven minutes, the Brazilian machine hummed exactly as planned.
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães announced his World Cup readiness in style, picking up a loose ball on the edge of the box and drilling a low finish into the bottom corner. It was the kind of composed, line-breaking strike that makes him indispensable in the pivot.
However, the lead lasted exactly 180 seconds.
In a moment that will surely feature in Egypt’s pre-match video reel, defender Marquinhos was caught napping. A lazy, loose pass across the backline was intercepted by Mostafa Ziko, who needed no second invitation. The Egyptian forward raced clear and fired past a helpless Alisson Becker to level the score at 1-1.
The Endrick Effect
The first half was a mixed bag. Brazil controlled possession but lacked sharpness, while Brentford’s Igor Thiago missed a golden chance just before the break. More worrying for the Brazilian bench was a first-half injury to defender Wesley, who was forced to limp off—an unwelcome development just seven days before their Group E opener.
Halftime brought a flurry of changes. Igor Thiago made way, and notably, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah entered for Egypt to a loud ovation.
But the night belonged to the 19-year-old sensation replacing Thiago: Endrick.
Just seven minutes after stepping onto the pitch, the future Real Madrid star announced his presence. Connecting with a perfectly timed run, he met Raphinha’s teasing cross and turned it home to restore Brazil’s lead at 2-1. It was a poacher’s finish—anticipation, technique, and ice in his veins.
Salah Stretches, but Fails to Break Brazil
The final 30 minutes turned into a gripping tactical battle. Egypt, energized by Salah’s movement, began to find gaps in the Brazilian transition defense. The Pharaohs’ captain had one clear look from the edge of the box, but his rising effort sailed just over the bar.
Brazil bent but did not break. Despite several nervous moments where the backline looked disjointed, Alisson was rarely forced into a match-saving stop. The South Americans held on for the narrow win, ensuring they head to New Jersey on a positive note.
Looking Ahead to the Big Dance
For Brazil, this was a reality check. Without the injured Neymar (still absent from the squad), the attack relies heavily on individual brilliance. While Endrick provided the spark, the defensive fragility—particularly the gift given to Ziko—must be fixed before Saturday.
For Egypt, there is plenty of reason for optimism. Taking the five-time world champions to the wire, with a makeshift squad for much of the game, suggests they will be a handful for Belgium on June 15.
Finally
This wasn’t the vintage “Joga Bonito” many hoped for, but tournament football is about surviving and peaking at the right time. Brazil open their World Cup campaign against Morocco this Saturday in a tricky Group E that also includes Scotland and Haiti. If Endrick keeps coming off the bench like this, the Samba Boys might just have found their lucky charm.
Final Score: Brazil 2, Egypt 1
Scorers: Bruno Guimarães (7′), Endrick (52′) — Mostafa Ziko (10′)
