The Hindu : Sport / Football : Late equaliser denies England victory

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Sunday, Jun 03, 2007
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Late equaliser denies England victory

Wembley (England): David Beckham returned to England and set up the team's goal in a 1-1 draw with Brazil in the first football international at the rebuilt Wembley Stadium on Friday.

Captain John Terry put England ahead in the 68th minute of the friendly, heading in a free-kick from Beckham, who was recalled to the starting line-up for the first time since he resigned as captain at last year's World Cup.

Brazil substitute Diego scored in the second minute of injury time to deny England a winning start at its new home.

Until the goals, the loudest cheers came for Beckham, who was back wearing the No.7 shirt after 10 months out of the side. He was one of England's best performers against the five-time World champion, also setting up Michael Owen for three chances and putting a free-kick wide.

The crowd at the stadium, which was hosting England for the first time since September 2000, cheered each time he took a free-kick, played a corner or made a tackle, and gave him a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 77th minute.

Slow first half

Terry's goal and Beckham's performance roused the crowd after an uneventful first half in which neither goalkeeper had to make a save. Diego then muted the celebrations with just one minute of injury time to play when he headed in a cross by captain Gilberto Silva.

But even a Brazil containing Ronaldinho and Kaka struggled to put together passing moves on a pitch that broke up from the start. Each tackle and stumble seemed to create a new divot in the turf. Heavy rain last month and three games in three days last weekend for the English league play-offs left the new field in poor condition.

Kaka had the first chance in the fifth minute when he took a pass outside the box from Vagner Love and switched the ball from right foot to left and back before shooting wide.

Beckham lifted the crowd by swivelling past two players on the right and floating a 40-yard pass to Joe Cole on the left. He then set up Owen for his first chance in the 12th.

Beckham played a precise pass through Brazil's defence, but Owen was just beaten to the ball by goalkeeper Helton. — AP

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