Wolves star Joao Gomes featured for Brazil in their final warm-up game against USA before the 2024 Copa America.
Dorival Junior is set for his first major tournament as manager, with Brazil looking to triumph in the competition for the 10th time.
With Argentina having won the last World Cup, there is a strong desire for Brazil to be victorious in the Copa America, and there is certainly a great chance for them with the players that they’ve got.
As well as Dorival Junior, it will be the first major tournament for Wolves star Joao Gomes.
Gomes made his debut for Brazil back in March against England at Wembley, and impressed in central midfield.
Last night, he earned his fourth cap starting for his country against USA.
Wolves star Joao Gomes concedes costly free-kick as Brazil draw with USA
Gomes was selected to start last night by Dorival Junior, featuring in a midfield three of him, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes.
Gomes only got six minutes in the previous game against Mexico, which Brazil won 3-2, and so he would have been particularly keen to make an impression in the final game before Copa America.
But it wasn’t the best of outings for Gomes, who picked up a booking after just 14 minutes.
Rodrygo gave Brazil the lead on 17 minutes, but Christian Pulisic equalised for USA shortly after.
It was Wolves star Gomes who pulled Pulisic down on the edge of the penalty area. Gomes felt he got a touch on the ball, and his frustration was then compounded when Pulisic slotted the free-kick through the wall.
Gomes was decent on the ball, completing 27/30 passes on the night. But he only won 3/8 duels, and didn’t have a particularly big impact. Sofascore had him as the lowest-rated Brazil player of the match.
He was also given just 4/10 for his performance by Goal, as he was substituted at half-time.
Gomes may have work to do to start Copa America opener
Gomes didn’t really take his chance against USA, and may now struggle to start his country’s opening game of the Copa America against Costa Rica. Unfortunately for him, the man who replaced him at half-time Douglas Luiz fared much better in the game.
The £15 million Wolves man – hailed last season as ‘a super talent’ by Gary O’Neil – has not been with the Brazil squad for that long and is still trying to stamp his authority, but that will come.
Wolves fans know what a talented player he is, and the star has such amazing potential.
Hopefully, we will be seeing him featuring a fair amount this summer for his country. And most ideally, he will return to Wolves pre-season in good condition.