Brazil Beat Germany in 2018 Friendly; Gabriel Jesus Scores Match's Lone Goal

Brazil beat Germany 1-0 at Berlin's Olympiastadion in a friendly on Tuesday as the two sides met for the first time since the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Four years ago in Belo Horizonte, Brazil suffered possibly the greatest humiliation in their footballing history as they were beaten 7-1 by the eventual champions to exit their home tournament in pitiful fashion at the semi-final stage.

It will take a long time for Brazilians to expunge that horrible result from their minds, but the Selecao began the process on Tuesday as Gabriel Jesus' first-half strike earned them a narrow win.

The contest was not one of the highest quality, especially given both Brazil and Germany will have designs on winning this summer's 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

However, the South Americans had the best of the chances and were deserving victors. 

Both sides provided their lineups ahead of kick-off:

Intensity and quality were lacking in the opening quarter of the match, with half-chances at either end for Philippe Coutinho and Mario Gomez the most that could be said for much of the first half-hour.

The first clear-cut chance of the match did not come until the 36th minute when Jesus, having been put through on goal in a potentially offside position, blasted over the bar from plenty of space inside the box.

The Manchester City forward then overhit a pass out to the right to Willian to slow down a promising counter-attack. 

In the 37th minute, though, he headed powerfully into the back of the net from six yards, after Willian had managed to make space for himself on the flank and delivered a perfect ball.

Germany goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was adjudged by some to have been culpable for the goal as he let the header squeeze through his grasp, per AS:

It was tough for the stopper, though, given the power of Jesus' header and how close he was to goal.

Brazil continued to look the better side after the break, and Coutinho saw two long-range efforts whistle over the bar before Trapp saved from Paulinho in the 55th minute.

The visitors failed to extend their lead, and in the final quarter of the match, it was Germany who dominated possession as they pushed for the equaliser.

Brazil, though, were impressive in their organisation and resilience.

In stark contrast to the 2014 World Cup semi-final, when Germany ripped through the Selecao's defence almost at will, Die Mannschaft could find no route through to goal.  

Their best chance of an equaliser came from Julian Draxler's long-range effort in stoppage time, but goalkeeper Alisson managed to push the effort over the bar to seal the win for Brazil.