David Beckham celebrated his return to the England national team with an assist on a patented cross as England played to a 1-1 tie with Brazil Friday in the first full international match at the new Wembley Stadium.
The return of Beckham 10 months after being dropped from the England team by Coach Steve McClaren was the highlight of a subdued game that saw both goals come in the second half.
Beckham delivered a pin-point cross on a free kick for John Terry, his replacement as England captain, to score on a header in the 68th minute.
Brazil equalized in stoppage time when Werder Bremen playmaker Diego scored on a header off a cross by Arsenal’s Gilberto Silva.
The England performance did not to allay fears about its chances of qualifying for Euro 2008. Indeed, England hardly looked dangerous except for on Beckham’s balls into the box. It next plays at Estonia on Wednesday in a must-win game. England’s opponents all won their Group E games on Saturday, leaving England five points behind Croatia and three points behind both Israel and Russia.
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY:
June 1 in London
England 1 Brazil 1. Goals: Terry 68; Diego 90.
England — Robinson, Carragher, King, Terry (Brown, 72), Shorey, Beckham (Jenas, 77), Gerrard, Lampard (Carrick, 88), Cole (Downing, 62), Smith (Dyer, 62), Owen (Crouch, 83).
Brazil — Helton, Daniel (Maicon, 65), Naldo, Juan, Gilberto, Ronaldinho, Mineiro (Edmilson, 63), Gilberto Silva, Kaka (Alves, 71), Robinho (Diego, 74), Vagner Love.
Referee: Markus Merk (Germany).
Att.: 88,745.