Endrick fires, Brazil passes Mexico in Copa America warmup

Teenage forward Endrick struck in the 96th minute as Brazil survived a late scare to overcome Mexico 3-2 in its pre-Copa America friendly in Texas on Saturday, reported Xinhua.

Brazil took the lead in the fifth minute at Kyle Field in College Station when Savio set up Andreas Pereira, who coolly danced around two defenders before sending a low shot into the far corner.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli doubled the advantage by receiving Yan Couto's cross and firing a first-time effort from the edge of the six-yard box past goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez.

Mexico reduced the deficit in the 73rd minute through Julian Quinones, who met Alexis Vega's cross with a sliding finish at the far post.

El Tri was suddenly re-energized as it began to dictate possession while rushing forward in waves. Guillermo Martinez equalized in the second minute of stoppage time with a low shot from an acute angle that beat goalkeeper Alisson at his near post.

But Brazil was jolted into action and Endrick, a 61st-minute substitute for Evanilson, restored his team's lead with a glancing header that flew into the far corner following Vinicius Junior's diagonal cross.

17-year-old Endrick, who will join Real Madrid from Palmeiras next month, has now scored three times in his past three international outings for Brazil.

Earlier on Saturday, Colombia continued its impressive run of results with a 5-1 rout of the United States in their friendly at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland.

The Cafeteros has now gone 22 matches without defeat, 18 of which have been under the stewardship of Argentine Nestor Lorenzo, who replaced Reinaldo Rueda as manager in June 2022.

The Copa America will be played in the United States from June 20 to July 14.