England 0 Brazil 1

ROO'S IN CHARGE? ... skipper Wayne makes his point as England go down to Brazil




ENGLAND suffered a Qatar crash — with Brazil ace Nilmar in the Doha driving seat.
The striker nodded past goalkeeper Ben Foster just 90 seconds after half-time to see off the Three Lions. And it could have been a lot worse for Fabio Capello's men, with Luis Fabiano spooning a 55th-minute penalty over the bar. With nine of Capello's first choice side ruled out, toothless England could muster just ONE shot on goal. Samba stars Brazil found the target six times.

But England had the first sniff, when stand-in skipper Wayne Rooney just failed to connect with Shaun Wright-Phillips' cross. Gareth Barry pulled the trigger from 30 yards — but his effort was charged down and knocked to safety. At the other end, Elano headed at Ben Foster while Felipe Melo shot just wide. After England's bright start, Brazil settled down — with Real Madrid ace Kaka pulling the strings.

The ex-AC Milan star set up Fabiano before charging at Matthew Upson. But the West Ham defender was up to the task and snuffed out the attack. Melo then almost skinned the centre-back but overran the ball and Foster was able to hack clear. Capello's men found themselves under the cosh, with Kaka and Fabiano's cute one-two almost forcing a way through.

And playmaker Kaka picked out the overlapping Michel Bastos, whose cross-cum-shot fizzed past the post.

Rooney and Milner provided some relief with a pair of long-range efforts but Brazil had England on the ropes again with Gilberto firing in at goal.

The Three Lions had seen off everything that had been thrown at them in the first half — but collapsed after the break.

Elano's cross picked out the run of Nilmar, who snuck between Joleon Lescott and Upson before arrowing in his header.

England dusted themselves off and Wright-Phillips had a fierce shot blocked.

Sunderland's Darren Bent was hauled off for Jermain Defoe on 54 minutes after having little chance to impress.

And a minute later England were given an almighty let off when Fabiano blazed his penalty over the bar.

Goal hero Nilmar had been sent flying by Foster, who was left in no-man's land by Wes Brown's dreadful back-pass.

Foster was booked and Fabiano stepped up but the Sevilla star skied his spot-kick.

In a rare moment of danger, Milner then volleyed wide at the far post from a Wright-Phillips cross.


Brazil still looked the more threatening and Lucio hammered a shot against a post.

Brown got in a good block to deny Nilmar as he attacked a deep cross.

Capello handed a debut to Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone in the closing stages in place of Barry, while Peter Crouch came on for Wright-Phillips. Brazil withdrew Kaka and Nilmar, with Julio Baptista and Carlos Eduardo given a run-out. And Milner — one of England's leading lights — then made way for Ashley Young.

But the Three Lions didn't seriously threaten again, and Brazil closed out this friendly.



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