MATT BARLOW: Kyle Walker and Vinicius Junior will hope to lock horns in UCL too

Again, there was an embrace when the duel was over. Although this time, the end was premature for Kyle Walker and both he and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will hope his injury is nothing serious.

All being well, Walker and Vinicius Junior will lock horns in club colours in little more than a fortnight, for the first leg of Champions League quarter final in Madrid. It is a delicious prospect.

Two undisputed masters of their craft. The Brazilian, who moves with athletic ease, one of the most threatening dribblers in world football and the new poster boy for his national team in the post-Neymar era.

His was the name to draw the loudest roar of approval from the South American corner of Wembley Stadium when the teams were announced before kick off.

Up against him, the finest right back of the Premier League years, lightning quick, a match for any winger in a sprint and a mature and wily defender. Rolled in with this, a little bit of history and a little bit of needle.

The Englishman came out on top when they tussled memorably over two legs, this time last year, in the Champions League.

Walker took umbrage when Vinicius tried to ‘rainbow flick’ his way past him, then had a stern South Yorkshire word in his ear on the matter of respect as they shared one of those passive-aggressive hugs Nigel Pearson specialises in, after the first leg.

Walker then stuck the Brazilian in his pocket as City won the return 4-0 in Manchester and their personal duel here at Wembley was shaping into another classic when England’s captain surrendered to a fitness concern.

It appeared to be a tweak to the left hamstring as he raced back to cover Jordan Pickford and deny Vinicius what would have been the opening goal with a clearance from his own goal