How Endrick's first Brazil goal helped five-time world champions to a 1-0 win against England at Wembley

Can anyone stop England or France at Euro 2024?

It’s just 84 days until the European Championships begin in Germany.

So, on the latest episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, we are looking ahead to Euro 2024, with a particular focus on two of the favourites; France and England.

Host Michael Bailey is joined by England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke, PSG and Fulham writer Peter Rutzler, plus data writer Thom Harris.

Listen in via your preferred podcast platform here.

In the pre-match press conferences this week, Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon says he never had any intention of declaring to play for Scotland ahead of England after being called up to the senior squad for the first time.

Gordon, who won the European under-21 championships last summer with England and qualifies for Scotland through his grandparents, was the subject of speculation that he would choose Scotland, but the 23-year-old says he only ever wanted to represent England.

“It was never a thought for me, and that is no disrespect to Scotland,” he said at St George’s Park. “I have been tunnel-visioned on playing for England since I was five or six years old. Nothing could ever shake that out of me.

“I could never forgive myself if I hadn’t got to this point. It was a dream I have had since I was so young and nothing else has ever entered my mind at any time.”

England will be without Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson and Cole Palmer for today's friendly against Brazil.

Kane sustained an ankle injury after colliding with a goalpost during Bayern Munich's victory over Darmstadt last weekend and remains "extremely doubtful" for Tuesday's friendly against Belgium, but Southgate was hopeful Palmer and Henderson would be able to feature.

“In terms of injury news its no Kane, no Palmer no Henderson (against Brazil), with Kane also a doubt for Belgium on Tuesday," he added.

"I would say Cole and Hendo have a better chance of Belgium than Harry, he’d be extremely doubtful for that."

England v Brazil, Euro 24 play-offs and that Forest points deduction

On the latest episode of The Athletic podcast The Totally Football Show, Jimbo, Rory Smith, Duncan Alexander and Jack Lang look ahead to the enigma that is the March international break.

The last three spots at Euro 2024 will be decided with fans from Wales to Luxembourg dreaming of a place in Germany. But could it be a nightmare for the host nation?

England host Brazil at Wembley in a friendly that marks Dorival Junior’s first game in charge and perhaps sees the Seleção as underdogs. We ask when were Brazil last Brazil?

Elsewhere, San Marino’s bad moment continues against Saint Kitts & Nevis. Nottingham Forest are deducted four points for breaching PSR, with potentially more deductions to come for Everton. Plus Rhys Ifans, Ian Ormondroyd and Gladiators. Listen in via your preferred podcast platform here.

In defence, boss Dorival Junior will be running his eye over left-backs Wendell, of Porto, and Flamengo's Ayrton Lucas. Girona tyro Yan Couto will compete for a right-back slot with veteran Danilo, while PSG's Lucas Beraldo joins Flamengo's Fabricio Bruno and Palmeiras' Murilo at centre half.

Nottingham Forest's classy ball-playing defender Murillo, 21, is not far off a call-up, one imagines.

In midfield, there is an opportunity to look at Sao Paulo's Pablo Maia, plus in-form Premier League midfielders Andreas Pereira, at Fulham - six years after his only cap - and Wolves' Joao Gomes.

While in attack, Porto wingers Pepe and Galeno (pictured above, left and right respectively) are included, while the inclusions of teenagers Savio - who could move to Manchester City this summer - and 17-year-old wonderkid Endrick points to the future.

Why doesn’t Ben White want to play for England?

Last week England boss Gareth Soutgate announced that Arsenal’s Ben White does not want to play for England.

So, why doesn’t one of the best players in Europe, in his position, not want to represent his country?

And why do some followers of the England national team find it so difficult to understand?

All those questions, and more, are answered on the latest episode of The Athletic FC Podcast.

Listen in to the show via your preferred podcast platform here.

We also have a live blog covering the action as Canada face Trinidad and Tobago in a crucial play-in clash with a spot at Copa America 2024 on the line.

Click here to follow that too.

It's being run by the inestimably great Michael Dominski.

Enjoy!

England are at Wembley.

Things are ramping up...

Sometimes in life, success can be all about timing.

Over the past year, Cole Palmer has timed to perfection his emergence from a promising academy player at Manchester City into arguably Chelsea’s key performer and now a possible England squad regular.

Palmer has gone from the fringes at club level to a strong contender to play a major part at Euro 2024 this summer after a sensational season at Chelsea.

There is often a late runner to make the plane and, carried by a knack for staying composed in the big moments, Palmer, 21, has emerged to add to Southgate’s impressive options in attacking positions. Read more below.

Among the goalkeeper, world-class duo Manchester City's Ederson and Liverpool's Alisson are out injured, with the uncapped Brazil-based trio Bento, Leo Jardim and Rafael given the nod ahead of Lyon's Lucas Perri and veteran Weverton.

In defence, Saudi Arabia-based Renan Lodi, Alex Telles and Roger Ibanez are omitted, as are full-backs Emerson Royal, Carlos Augusto and Guilherme Arana.

Among the midfielders, locally based Raphael Veiga and Gerson miss out, and in attack Manchester United's out-of-form winger Antony, Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus and Wolves' Matheus Cunha are among those not to make the cut.

Manchester United defensive midfielder Casemiro withdrew from the squad due to injury.

Good question.

In goal, Nick Pope is injured, while Rangers' in-form stopper Jack Butland is omitted. In defence, there's no space for Manchester City wonderkid Rico Lewis, AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori, or Eric Dier.

In midfield, Kalvin Phillips and Mason Mount haven't played regular enough football after injury to be included, with James Ward-Prowse's middling form counting against him.

Jack Grealish, Eberechi Eze and Raheem Sterling are among the attackers left out. Youngsters Tino Livramento, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott from the Under-21s are outside bets for the summer's senior squad if they finish the season very strongly.

Alongside this live blog, The Athletic is also running a general football news live blog here.

Follow for all the latest football news from across the globe as we look ahead to this week's international fixtures.

It's being run by Nnamdi Onyeagwara and Omar Garrick.

This is the latest in a four-part series examining the selection decisions Gareth Southgate has to make before this summer’s European Championship.

Part one was on the goalkeepers. Part two looked at the defenders. Part three analysed the midfielders.

Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden are certainties, but the identity of the other forwards in England's Euro 2024 squad is up for debate. Should boss Gareth Southgate's picks be based on form, experience or profile?

The Athletic — in the final part of our series — investigates below.

It's a pretty shaken-up, experimental Brazil squad. Of course, international friendlies, with nothing officially on the line, is the time to try new things, certainly as Dorival sees it.

None of the goalkeepers have senior international experience, of the defenders, only Danilo has more than three caps, there is only one outfield player older than 30 and Douglas Luiz, with 11 caps, is one of the most-capped midfielders.

Plus, four of Brazil's eight attackers have two caps or less. We'll look at Brazil's new and breakthrough stars shortly.