Eng-Brazil friendly Beckham denied winning return
Sunday, 3 June 2007
LONDON, June 2 (AFP): David Beckham was denied a winning return for England as Diego headed a late equaliser to earn Brazil a 1-1 friendly international draw Friday.
But Beckham has always had a flair for the dramatic and it was almost inevitable that he marked his first appearance for England since last year's World Cup by setting up John Terry's second half opener.
The Real Madrid midfielder had been recalled by McClaren just 10 months after the coach had sent him into international exile and the gamble paid instant dividends at Wembley.
England captain Terry had promised Beckham, winning his 95th cap, that he would allow him to take over the captaincy when he makes his 100th appearance and Beckham quickly returned the favour.
His perfectly-weighted free-kick allowed Terry to head home in the second half before Diego robbed England of their first win over Brazil in 17 years with a stoppage time strike.
Beckham has remained a firm favourite with the England fans and his name was greeted with an ear-splitting roar when the team was read out just before kick-off.
England were back at Wembley after seven years waiting for the national stadium to be rebuilt. This was the new 800-million-pound arena's first senior international and the 88,000 crowd gave McClaren's team a rapturous welcome home.
The carnival atmosphere obscured the fact that McClaren desperately needed a positive performance to take in to Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia.
McClaren has endured a miserable first year in charge and his rocky relationship with England fans and media would not have withstood a heavy defeat against the five-times World Cup winners.
Beckham was quickly into the thick of the action with a long pass that Michael Owen was just unable to reach. With Beckham working tirelessly to close down Brazil and Steven Gerrard crunching into a series of full-blooded challenges, England looked more dynamic than they had in their woeful displays against Israel and Andorra.
Brazil still came closest to taking the lead in the first half. Gilberto Silva thought he had scored when he looped a header over Paul Robinson from Naldo's cross, but the Brazil captain's effort was ruled out for offside, even though television replays showed he was clearly onside.
When Gerrard was tripped on the edge of the penalty area the stage was set for Beckham to mark his return with one of his trademark free-kicks. Flashbulbs illuminated Wembley as the Real Madrid midfielder stepped up, but his effort whipped just wide of Helton's far post.
Beckham wasn't the only England player keen to make up for lost time. Owen was back in an England shirt after finally recovering from the serious knee injury he suffered at the World Cup, but the striker was well short of his predatory best.
Brazil were content to go through the motions for long periods, but any team including Ronaldinho and Kaka will always be capable of conjouring a goal from nothing.
It took a superb reflex save from Robinson to keep England level just after half- time as he turned over a Ronaldinho shot that deflected off Ledley King.
No-one could ever question Beckham's set-piece delivery and he provided a half-chance for Owen with a precise free-kick that the Newcastle striker glanced over.
McClaren sent on Stewart Downing for Joe Cole and the Middlesbrough winger almost scored with his first touch as his long-range drive was brilliantly tipped over by Helton.
Beckham had served notice of his danger from dead-ball situations, but Brazil failed to heed the warning. He whipped in a deep 66th minute free-kick to the far post and Terry rose above Naldo to buried his header past Helton.
Beckham went off to a standing ovation with 13 minutes left, but he was cruelly denied his match-winning moment as Brazil snatched a stoppage time equaliser.
Gilberto Silva sent over a teasing cross and Diego found space to plant a diving header past Robinson.
But Beckham has always had a flair for the dramatic and it was almost inevitable that he marked his first appearance for England since last year's World Cup by setting up John Terry's second half opener.
The Real Madrid midfielder had been recalled by McClaren just 10 months after the coach had sent him into international exile and the gamble paid instant dividends at Wembley.
England captain Terry had promised Beckham, winning his 95th cap, that he would allow him to take over the captaincy when he makes his 100th appearance and Beckham quickly returned the favour.
His perfectly-weighted free-kick allowed Terry to head home in the second half before Diego robbed England of their first win over Brazil in 17 years with a stoppage time strike.
Beckham has remained a firm favourite with the England fans and his name was greeted with an ear-splitting roar when the team was read out just before kick-off.
England were back at Wembley after seven years waiting for the national stadium to be rebuilt. This was the new 800-million-pound arena's first senior international and the 88,000 crowd gave McClaren's team a rapturous welcome home.
The carnival atmosphere obscured the fact that McClaren desperately needed a positive performance to take in to Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia.
McClaren has endured a miserable first year in charge and his rocky relationship with England fans and media would not have withstood a heavy defeat against the five-times World Cup winners.
Beckham was quickly into the thick of the action with a long pass that Michael Owen was just unable to reach. With Beckham working tirelessly to close down Brazil and Steven Gerrard crunching into a series of full-blooded challenges, England looked more dynamic than they had in their woeful displays against Israel and Andorra.
Brazil still came closest to taking the lead in the first half. Gilberto Silva thought he had scored when he looped a header over Paul Robinson from Naldo's cross, but the Brazil captain's effort was ruled out for offside, even though television replays showed he was clearly onside.
When Gerrard was tripped on the edge of the penalty area the stage was set for Beckham to mark his return with one of his trademark free-kicks. Flashbulbs illuminated Wembley as the Real Madrid midfielder stepped up, but his effort whipped just wide of Helton's far post.
Beckham wasn't the only England player keen to make up for lost time. Owen was back in an England shirt after finally recovering from the serious knee injury he suffered at the World Cup, but the striker was well short of his predatory best.
Brazil were content to go through the motions for long periods, but any team including Ronaldinho and Kaka will always be capable of conjouring a goal from nothing.
It took a superb reflex save from Robinson to keep England level just after half- time as he turned over a Ronaldinho shot that deflected off Ledley King.
No-one could ever question Beckham's set-piece delivery and he provided a half-chance for Owen with a precise free-kick that the Newcastle striker glanced over.
McClaren sent on Stewart Downing for Joe Cole and the Middlesbrough winger almost scored with his first touch as his long-range drive was brilliantly tipped over by Helton.
Beckham had served notice of his danger from dead-ball situations, but Brazil failed to heed the warning. He whipped in a deep 66th minute free-kick to the far post and Terry rose above Naldo to buried his header past Helton.
Beckham went off to a standing ovation with 13 minutes left, but he was cruelly denied his match-winning moment as Brazil snatched a stoppage time equaliser.
Gilberto Silva sent over a teasing cross and Diego found space to plant a diving header past Robinson.