Gabriel Jesus gives Brazil victory over Germany

A first-half goal from Gabriel Jesus gave Brazil a 1-0 victory over Germany in their international friendly at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Tite fielded a relatively defensive starting XI, but the Selecao enjoyed the lion’s share of the attacking play from the outset. Marcelo and Willian peppered the Germany penalty area with crosses, while Phlippe Coutinho was able to shake free from his marker on a few occasions.

Germany relied heavily on delivering crosses to a target man: first Mario Gomez, then his replacement Sandro Wagner. The veteran Stuttgart striker fell foul of the Brazilian offside trap on several occasions and was kept in check by an impressive performance from Thiago Silva. The Paris Saint-Germain star also denied Wagner an opening on more than one occasion.

The visitors made the breakthrough shortly before the break, when Gabriel Jesus connected with a Willian cross to aim a bullet header at Kevin Trapp. The effort was directed squarely at the Paris Saint-Germain back-up goalkeeper, who proceeded to spill the ball over his own line.

Neither goalkeeper had much work to do in the second half, as Germany struggled to find their attacking rhythm.

Brazil nearly doubled their advantage when Coutinho shot narrowly over the bar and Willian saw a dangerous shot blocked by Boateng.

The hosts came close to finding an injury time equaliser when Julian Draxler’s powerful long-range volley forced a save from Alisson, but the visitors ultimately deserved the win; a quantum of solace for the humiliating 7-1 defeat they suffered on home soil four years ago.

Will Brazil win the World Cup? Germany and Brazil are No. 1 and No. 2 in the FIFA rankings respectively, and they have the shortest odds with most bookies to claim the glory in Russia this summer. Brazil certainly deserved a win in Berlin, but if they were to meet in the latter stages of the World Cup, with Jogi Loew starting a full-strength XI, one would have to favour Germany on European soil.

Thiago Silva (Brazil): As Germany littered the box with crosses for Mario Gomez and later Sandro Wagner, Silva did a superb job of clearing the danger. The Paris Saint-Germain star will have certainly made his case to partner Miranda at the big tournament in Russia.

Germany: Trapp 5, Kimmich 7, Rüdiger 7, Boateng 7, Plattenhardt 7, Kroos 7, Gündogan 6, Draxler 6, Goretzka 6, Sané 6, Gómez 6. Subs: Wagner 6, Werner 6, Stindl 6, Sule 6.

Brazil: Alisson 6, Alves 7, Silva 8, Miranda 7, Marcelo 8, Paulinho 7, Casemiro 7, Fernandinho 7, Willian 7, Jesus 8, Coutinho 7. Subs: Douglas Costa 7.

37 - CHANCE! Gabriel Jesus beats the offside trap on the halfway line and charges towards goal. He holds the ball up on the edge of the area to fend of Boateng's challenge, but his eventual shot sails over.

37 - GOAL! Germany 0-1 Brazil. Willian crosses from the left and Jesus directs a powerful header at Trapp. The ball flies over the 'keeper's head as he attempts to save it, but he can't quite keep it out and it crosses the line!

56 - CHANCE! Paulinho, Willian and Coutinho combine delightfully on the edge of the area! Coutinho dummies to let a Paulinho square ball roll into Willian's path. His shot is blocked, as is Paulinho's attempt on the rebound!

85 - CHANCE! Julian Brandt dances around the edge of the area, beating two men before seeing his shot deflected for a corner. Some excellent individual play from the Leverkusen forward!

Gabriel Jesus has nine goals for his country in 15 appearances.

Germany have been defeated on home soil for the first time since Slovakia triumphed 3-1 in June 2016.