England under-20s crash to 2-1 defeat to Brazil after being made for poor first half defending and missed penalty
Aidy Bothroyd's youngsters miss out in prestige friendly as they prepare for under-20s World Cup
ENGLAND'S under-20s were made to pay for a string of first half mistakes as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Brazil.
Aidy Bothroyd's side were using the prestige friendly at Kidderminster to help their preparations for their challenge for the under-20 World Cup next summer.
But they gifted the South Americans two early goals and then missed a penalty in an opening half to forget that left them too much to do to save the game.
The two sides had drawn 1-1 in a behind closed doors friendly at St George's Park earlier this week as they started planning for World Cup in South Korea.
And Bothroyd had hoped his emerging age group, who won the under-17s European title and reached the semi-final athe the under-19 tournament last year, would build on that display.
But instead, they began on the back foot as Brazil made the quicker start - and the men in yellow seized upon hesitancy in the home defence to take the lead through Paqueta on eight minutes.
Worse was to follow midway through the first half when the Three Lions contrived to gift Brazil a second goal through some comical defending.
Manchester United youngster Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who is on loan at Wolves, decided to loop a bizarre pass back to goalkeeper Freddie Woodman from near his corner flag.
And Newcastle youngster then missed the ball as he tried to control it instead of kicking clear, allowing Malcom the simple task of turning home into an empty net.
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England then wasted an ideal chance to force their way back into the match as another Newcastle youngster, Adam Armstrong, missed a penalty.
And that proved vital as England feel just short of snatching a draw when Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who signed for Everton in a deadline day move from Sheffield United, headed home on 79 minutes.