West Ham star Lucas Paqueta makes England boss Gareth Southgate look silly but departs early due to familiar issue
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta was making Gareth Southgate look silly before leaving the field due to a familiar issue.
There’s nobody better than Lucas Paqueta the West Ham fans sing.
And they were proved right yet again as the Brazilian magnifico stole the show against England.
Gareth Southgate has been widely criticised for the line-up he selected to face Brazil.
There was no place for Paqueta’s West Ham teammate Jarrod Bowen.
That’s despite his supreme form this season and Bukayo Saka’s injury absence.
There’s nobody better than Lucas Paqueta
Instead Southgate shifted England’s most gifted central playmaker – Phil Foden – out to the right.
Anthony Gordon got a start on the left. And Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher somehow started in central midfield.
West Ham’s talisman Paqueta soon set about showing Brazil what they’ve been missing.
The Hammers ace produced a series of sublime touches as headless chicken Gallagher struggled to get close to him.
Declan Rice also could not contain his old West Ham teammate Paqueta as he pulled the strings for Brazil at Wembley.
Paqueta should have had two assists and a goal to his name after hitting the post.
Hammers talisman shines and makes Southgate look silly
And he almost found the top corner with a stunning first time curling effort from outside the box.
David Moyes’ £51m man was loving being back in a Brazil shirt and it showed.
West Ham star Paqueta made England boss Southgate look silly but departed early due to a familiar issue.
That being his tendency to pick up yellow cards.
Already on a booking – his 10th of the season – after a series of fouls, Paqueta continued to get stuck in.
Familiar issue sees West Ham star leave early
England’s coaches and players continually demanded Paqueta be sent off as he committed nearly half of all Brazil’s 15 fouls during his time on the pitch.
But before that could happen Brazil’s manager Dorival Junior wisely substituted the West Ham star on 70 minutes.
Paqueta could and should have left the hallowed Wembley turf with a couple of assists and even a couple of goals. But that did not take away from his display which wowed the commentators and pundits.
Paqueta the name of the half. Quality on the ball with Space in front of him, and working só Hard as part of a low Block that he’s Lucky still to be on the field
— Tim Vickery (@Tim_Vickery) March 23, 2024
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It meant he and Bowen – brought on after 67 minutes by Southgate – only shared the pitch for a couple of minutes.
It was probably for the best, though, as a second booking was in the offing.
Brazil went on to win the game when 17-year-old Real Madrid-owned Endrick slotted home.
Bowen played well during his time on the pitch. But West Ham’s top scorer simply did not get long enough to make a big impact on the game.
