Diego goal ruins Becks return
Beckham produced a solid display on his first international for nearly a year
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Friday, 01, Jun 2007 10:06
A last-gasp goal from Diego gave Brazil a 1-1 draw with England to ruin David Beckham's return to the international scene.
Beckham played for 77 minutes in England's first match at the new Wembley and set-up John Terry's opener in the second-half after a pinpoint cross.
But in the second-half of injury time, Diego flicked a header past goalkeeper Paul Robinson for a dramatic equaliser.
Under-pressure manager Steve McClaren will hope for a better result in the crunch Euro 2008 tie against Estonia on Wednesday.
As expected, Michael Owen returned to senior action for the first time in nearly a year to partner Alan Smith up front.
Reading Nicky Shorey made his England debut at left-back while Jamie Carragher played at right-back in the absence of Gary Neville.
Kaka and Ronaldinho started for the visitors while Real Madrid striker Robinho partnered Vagner Love in attack.
In a tame first-half, England seemed happy to sit back with Steven Gerrard playing as a holding midfielder.
Robinho created the first clear-cut chance on 13 minutes with the Madrid star cutting in from the left before dragging his shot wide.
A Beckham free-kick nearly resulted in a goal minutes later with the ball breaking to Joe Cole but the Chelsea midfielder's shot was straight at goalkeeper Helton.
Brazil had the ball in the net on 19 minutes after Arsenal midfielder Gilberto powered in a header but the goal was ruled out for offside.
England had Gerrard to thank on 27 minutes after the Liverpool ace produced a last-ditch challenge to deny Kaka.
Beckham came agonisingly close to making a dream return on the half hour mark after sending a free-kick just wide of Helton's right-hand post.
Ronaldinho fired a shot wide of Paul Robinson's past in the closing stages of the half as England continued to absorb the pressure from Dunga's side.
Brazil were unlucky not to break the deadlock at the start of the second half with Paul Robinson producing a stunning one-handed save to tip Ronaldinho's deflected shot over the bar on 50 minutes.
Beckham continued to impress with his pinpoint passing and set-up Owen on 57 minutes with the Newcastle striker heading over.
On the hour mark, Steve McClaren brought on Stewart Downing and Kieron Dyer in search of a spark.
Downing made an instant impact with a piledriver from 30 yards that was tipped over the bar by Helton.
The turning point came on 68 minutes with England being awarded a free-kick 30 yards from goal.
Beckham whipped in a pinpoint cross for skipper Terry to power home his header and give England the lead.
There was a worry for McClaren with Terry going off minutes later with an apparent injury to be replaced by Wes Brown.
Wembley erupted into applause 13 minutes from time with Beckham being substituted for Jermaine Jenas.
England looked disjointed with the multiple substitutions and in the 92nd minute, Diego headed in Gilberto's cross from 12 yards in the last attack of the game.