Endrick and Yamal shine as Vinícius Júnior's Brazil draws 3-3 with Spain in 'One Skin' friendly

MADRID (AP) — Teenagers Lamine Yamal and Endrick took the spotlight as Brazil drew 3-3 with Spain on Tuesday in the “One Skin” international friendly that was set up to highlight the fight against racism after a series of insults aimed at the Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior.

Vinícius was relatively quiet in a match in which Brazil equalized with a penalty converted by Lucas Paquetá deep into stoppage time after Rodri's spot kick in the 87th had put Spain ahead.

Brazil had rallied from two goals down with an equalizer scored by Vinícius’ future Madrid teammate Endrick, the 17-year-old Palmeiras player who had made his scoring debut with Brazil just three days previous.

The Spanish lineup was led by 16-year-old Barcelona forward Yamal, who helped set up three goals and received a standing ovation from the crowd at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium when he was substituted near the end of the match.

“Yamal and Endrick are players who have a chance to be stars at the 2026 World Cup,” Brazil coach Dorival Júnior said. “They both play at a very high level.”

Brazil's Endrick, left and Spain's Dani Carvajal challenge for the ball during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

The international friendly came a day after Vinícius broke down in tears while talking about the continued racist insults that he is subjected to in Spain, saying he was losing his desire to keep playing but pledged to continue his fight against racism.

Vinícius was loudly applauded when he was substituted in the 71st. The 23-year-old Brazilian, the Seleçao’s captain on Tuesday, received some of the loudest jeers when his name was introduced ahead of the match.

Brazilian players went onto the field wearing black jackets with the slogan “One Skin, One Identity.” The jackets will be auctioned to help an anti-racism campaign.

Vinícius, who has been accused of provoking fans and opponents, got into verbal altercations with Spanish players, including from the bench after leaving the match. He also shoved Spain defender Aymeric Laporte from behind while play was stopped.

Laporte tweeted after the match the question: “Maybe he wanted to dance…?” accompanied by a previous tweet with the image of Vinícius’ shove and quoting the Brazilian from Monday, when he said, “I just want to play soccer.”

Brazil's Vinicius Jr applauds the fans after being substituted during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

The friendly game was set up by Spanish and Brazilian soccer officials amid the uproar that followed the racist insults aimed at Vinícius in a Spanish league game in Valencia 10 months ago. Many believed the incident would be a turning point for soccer in Spain, but another wave of racist abuse targeting Vinícius has followed.

While most of the attention was on Vinícius, it was Yamal threatening the most with his speed and quick moves to get past Brazilian defenders.

Rodri put Spain ahead by converting a 13th-minute penalty kick after Yamal made a run through the right side and was brought down by João Gomes inside the area.

Vinícius had Brazil’s first shot on goal in the 17th but it was easily saved by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón.

Yamal set up Dani Olmo's 36th-minute goal and Rodrigo pulled Brazil closer in the 40th after a mistake by Simón.

Endrick, who will arrive in Spain at the end of the season, equalized and was also set to take the late penalty but instead gave the ball to Paquetá. The crowed jeered as it wanted to see the new Madrid player try to score again.

Vinícius went to defend Endrick from the bench after Spanish players loudly complained because of a hard foul by his future teammate late in the match.

The Spaniards appeared unsettled with how Brazilian players celebrated the late equalizer near the Spanish fans.

Spain's Dani Carvajal, centre, challenges for the ball with Brazil's Lucas Paqueta, centre right, during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Spain, preparing for the upcoming European Championship in Germany, was coming off a 1-0 loss to Colombia on Friday in London.

“I'm happy because we were better than Brazil in all areas,” coach Luis de la Fuente said. “I'm proud of the match we played."

De la Fuente said he was “ashamed” by the jeers directed at Atletico Madrid forward Álvaro Morata by the crowd at the Bernabeu, where Morata used to play for earlier in his career.

Vinícius has been subjected to multiple racist insults since arriving in Spain six years ago. He complained on Monday about the lack of punishment for perpetrators and asked for help from FIFA, UEFA and other soccer institutions in the fight against racism.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Brazil's Vinicius Jr, left argues with Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal after Spain's Marc Cucurella was fouled by Brazil's Endrick during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Brazil's Rodrygo, centre right, tries to get past Spain's Rodrigo, left, Alvaro Morata, 2nd left and Lamine Yamal during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

A Brazilian fan wearing a Vinicius Jr. mask gives the thumbs up before the start of a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Brazil's Vinicius Jr stands during the Brazilian national anthem before the start of a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

The Spain and Brazil team players stand during the national anthems before the start of a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

The Brazil team players pose for a photo before the start of a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Spain's Rodrigo, centre, celebrates after scoring the opening goal with a penalty kick during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Spain's Rodrigo, 3rd left, scores the opening goal with a penalty kick during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Brazil's Vinicius Jr walks onto the pitch for a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Brazil's Vinicius Jr, centre, runs with the ball during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 7, 2025--

Universal Marine Medical Supply International (“Unimed” or the “Company”), the leading global provider of health and compliance solutions to the maritime industry, today announced its acquisition of Lagaay Medical Group (“Lagaay”), a global distributor of pharmaceutical products and medical devices, from B&S Group S.A. (“B&S”). Unimed is backed by affiliates of ZCG Private Equity, the private equity arm of ZCG, a privately held global firm.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250406525944/en/

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Lagaay has more than 140 years of experience providing high-quality medical supplies and pharmaceuticals for the marine industry. The company currently offers 10,000 medical SKUs across 100 active countries. This strategic acquisition expands Unimed’s presence in Rotterdam – the largest port in Europe – further enhancing Unimed’s ability to serve global clients with comprehensive healthcare and compliance solutions as part of its long-term growth strategy.

“This transaction marks a significant step in strengthening Unimed’s leadership in the maritime medical industry while deepening our partnerships with clients worldwide,” said Søren Andersen, Chief Executive Officer of Unimed. “We have long respected Lagaay’s business and global reach, particularly its strong presence in Rotterdam. We look forward to welcoming their team to Unimed, expanding our technology-driven subscription model to more clients, and continuing to execute on our growth strategy.”

“Joining forces with Unimed is the right next step for Lagaay, we have always perceived Unimed as a logical partner to capture synergies and strengthen the market position of Lagaay in the maritime medical industry,” said Peter van Mierlo, Chief Executive Officer of B&S. “We are proud of all that we have achieved with Lagaay’s management over the past 4,5 years, growing its client base and solutions, and focusing on operational excellence. We wish the team continued success in this next chapter.”

“We are pleased to announce this strategic transaction as Unimed continues to capitalize on both organic and inorganic growth opportunities,” said James Zenni, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of ZCG. “With this expansion, Unimed is even more well positioned to lead the maritime industry by delivering the platform of choice to clients globally. We look forward to supporting the combined Unimed and Lagaay leadership and the experienced teams as they integrate two companies.”

The transaction is expected to close in the coming days, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

In connection with the acquisition, Unimed will launch a new branding and product suite at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference later this month, marking a new chapter in its evolution as a premier healthcare provider for the maritime sector. Attendees will get a first look at the refreshed identity, reflecting Unimed’s commitment to innovation and excellence.

About Unimed

Unimed is the industry leader in medical supply, equipment and oxygen distribution to global maritime industries, specializing in the delivery of integrated healthcare and compliance solutions to clients worldwide.

Unimed is a portfolio company of ZCG Private Equity, the private equity arm of ZCG ( www.zcg.com ), a leading privately held global firm comprised of private markets asset management, business consulting services, and technology development and solutions.

For more information, please visit https://universalmarinemedical.com/.

About ZCG

ZCG is a leading, privately held global firm comprised of private markets asset management, business consulting services, and technology development and solutions.

For nearly three decades, ZCG has invested tens of billions of dollars in private equity and credit-related strategies, through multiple economic cycles and across many industries, including consumer products, steel, steel processors, agriculture, consumer food, gaming, hospitality, manufacturing, specialty services, and automotive.

ZCG’s investors include prominent global sovereign wealth funds, endowments, pension funds, insurance companies, foundations, family offices, wealth management firms, and other financial institutions in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

ZCG has a global team comprised of approximately 400 professionals. The company is headquartered in New York, with affiliate offices located in Pune and Mumbai, India, and Riyadh, KSA.

For more information, please visit www.zcg.com.

ZCG-Backed Unimed Acquires Lagaay Medical Group