England v Brazil

Hospitality at Wembley Stadium is up there with the best in world sport, and in 2024 there are some mouthwatering opportunities to experience it for yourself!

First up is a fixture that celebrates so much of the history of the sport: England, the country who gave football to the world, against Brazil, the South American giants who turned it into something beautiful.

On Saturday March 23rd 2024, Wembley Stadium will be swaying to a samba rhythm, as England welcome Brazil in the first game of a double-header in preparation for the European Championships in the summer.

The two countries have met on 26 previous occasions, four of these in the World Cup Finals. England have only managed to come out on top four times, most recently in 2013 when Roy Hodgson got the better of Luiz Felipe Scolari, in a 2-1 win at Wembley. Steven Gerrard captained the side that night, and goals from Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard gave England the victory, against a team that included Ronaldinho and Neymar. Only one player in the England squad from that win is likely to be involved this time around – the evergreen Kyle Walker – but the visitors’
lineup should have a number of faces familiar to Premier League supporters, with Richarlison, Alisson Becker, Arsenal’s three Gabriels – Jesus, Martinelli and Magalhaes, and Walker’s teammate Ederson all prominent members of the squad.

A fixture steeped in history

When you think about iconic meetings between the two countries, two games immediately spring to mind. The first took place in Mexico in 1970, when the reigning World Champions came up against the soon-to-be World Champions… England featured 6 players who had played in the winning team at Wembley four years earlier, including Gordon Banks, who would pull off one of the most spectacular saves in football history from a downward header by the great Pele. The Brazilian legend was practically celebrating his goal, as Banks miraculously clawed the ball from behind himself and scooped it to safety. More than half a century later it’s hard to think of any other piece of goalkeeping that betters this moment. Another memorable image from this match occurred after the final whistle, when Pele and England skipper Bobby Moore swapped shirts and embraced – a genuine moment of respect and admiration between two giants of the game, and a photograph that is still used today as an indication of how the game should be played.

The second match took place in 2002 in Japan, this time in the Quarter Finals of the World Cup. Millions of England fans had woken up early to watch this eagerly anticipated clash, and when Michael Owen scored it seemed like it was finally going to happen for the Three Lions… but this was Brazil, and when Rivaldo scored just before half time, reality kicked in. The story of the second half belonged to one man – Ronaldinho. First he looped a free kick over the hapless David
Seaman, and a few minutes later received a controversial red card, gifting England more than half an hour against ten men. But it wasn’t to be, and Brazil went on to win their 5th World Cup… a number they haven’t added to since…

It’s going to be a colourful and lively occasion at Wembley Stadium in March, as it always is when the Brazilian supporters are in town. With our fantastic Wembley hospitality packages you can be there to experience this unique atmosphere for yourself. Check out our Wembley options here or give us a call on 01454 201210.

CONTACT THE TEAM

Give Us a call on 01454 201210 or email enquiries@circuithospitality.com to see how we can help you.