Gabriel Jesus’ first-half header gave Brazil a deserved 1-0 win over Germany in a dominating performance in Berlin.

The Manchester City striker got on the end of a superb cross from the right from Willian to head past Kevin Trapp.

Germany struggled to open up a solid Brazil defence, who were largely untroubled by the hosts.

Tweet of the match

New York Times chief soccer correspondent Rory Smith was suitably impressed by the Brazilians in Berlin.

Player of the match – Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho pulled the strings for Brazil
Philippe Coutinho pulled the strings for Brazil (Markus Schreiber/AP)

The Barcelona playmaker was at the centre of everything good from Brazil and, particularly in the first half, carved through Germany at will. Was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet with a couple of efforts from distance that went narrowly over the bar.

Moment of the match

Kevin Trapp cannot keep out Jesus' header
Kevin Trapp cannot keep out Jesus’ header (Michael Sohn/AP)

Gabriel Jesus’ goal. A brilliant whipped ball from the right picked out the Manchester City striker in the middle of the area and, although his header was straight at Kevin Trapp, there was enough power on it that the German goalkeeper was helpless to prevent it going into the net to give Brazil a deserved lead.

Early World Cup favourites?

Philippe Coutinho reacts after going close
Philippe Coutinho reacts after going close (Markus Schreiber/AP)

Although only a friendly, Brazil sent out an ominous warning with a dominant victory over Germany on their own turf in their first meeting since their humiliating 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat in 2014. Tite’s side looked solid in defence and were full of ambition and creativity and with Coutinho pulling the strings sent out a warning ahead of the World Cup. And they still have their trump card Neymar to come back into the side.

Player ratings

Thiago Silva was solid at the back for Brazil
Thiago Silva was solid at the back for Brazil (Michael Sohn/AP)

Germany: Kevin Trapp 6, Joshua Kimmich 6, Jerome Boateng 5, Antonio Rudiger 5, Marvin Plattenhardt 5, Ilkay Gundogan 6, Toni Kroos 6, Julian Draxler 6, Leon Goretzka 7, Leroy Sane 5, Mario Gomez 5. Subs: Lars Stindl (for Sane, 61) 6, Julian Brandt (for Goretzka, 61) 6, Sandro Wagner (for Gomez, 62) 6, Niklas Sule (for Boateng, 68) 6, Timo Werner (for Gundogan, 81) 6.

Brazil: Alisson 6, Dani Alves 6, Thiago Silva 7, Miranda 6, Marcelo 7, Fernandinho 6, Casemiro 6, Paulinho 7, Willian 7, Gabriel Jesus 7, Philippe Coutinho 8. Subs: Douglas Costa (for Coutinho, 73) 6.

Who’s up next?

Croatia v Brazil, friendly, June 3

Austria v Germany, friendly, June 2