A well-taken header in the second half from striker Nilmar was enough to hand Brazil victory over a makeshift England side in Doha.
Wayne Rooney Captains England
With John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard all missing through injury Fabio Capello decided to hand the captain’s armband to Manchester United striker Rooney.
The Italian also decided to hand a start to Sunderland front man Darren Bent to see if he is ready to lead the country’s hopes and dreams in the World Cup or if he will have to rely on Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch.
Rooney Misses Early England chance
England started the stronger of the two teams when winger Shaun Wright-Phillips found some space on the right-hand side and fired in a cross, but skipper Rooney failed to get a touch on the ball and the chance went begging.
Brazil started to up their tempo with a array of neat passing combinations featuring the world class Kaka, but the five-time World Cup winners were having problems breaking down the England back four with Felipe Melo firing over from long range.
Upson Error Puts Nilmar Through
Rooney looked to be relishing his new role as captain and went close to sending strike partner Bent through, although a mistake from Matthew Upson at the other end allowed Nilmar to race clear but as he squared a ball into the penalty area the danger was cleared by Joleon Lescott.
Upson then redeemed himself with a last-ditch tackle on Kaka, a second later and the defender may have been dismissed, but he timed it perfectly, at this stage Brazil really started to dominate and should have taken the lead through Michel Bastos , but he fired wide from just inside the penalty area.
As expected in this game the action was end to end and England started to press their opponents with a good passage of play which resulted in Bent heading over the crossbar after James Milner whipped in a dangerous cross.
Ben Foster Denies Kaka
Just before the half hour mark keeper Foster was forced into making his first real save when he comfortably held Melo’s curling effort after a neat piece of footwork and the Manchester United stopper then thwarted Kaka.
Rooney Loses His Temper
Rooney looked to be getting a bit frustrated with that fact that Brazil had started to dominate and fired a long range shot over the bar before venting his anger at the referee after he was denied a free-kick just outside the area and seconds later Milner also lacked composure in front of goal as his effort sailed over the bar.
England Holding Brazil
The Brazilians dominated the opening 45 minutes in terms of chances, but England were not out of the contest and with a little bit more composure could have led at the break, the only ominous thing for England is that Kaka looked like he could up the tempo at any moment.
Nilmar Heads Brazil Ahead
Brazil needed just 90 seconds of the second period to take the lead when Nilmar got in ahead of defender Wes Brown to head home Elano’s cross past a helpless Foster.
Wright-Phillips saw his goal bound shot blocked and despite Jermaine Jenas’ woeful attempt the ball eventually found its way to Gareth Barry, who failed to find the target from an acute angle.
Capello had seen enough of what Bent could offer up front and hauled him off after 54 minutes and sent on Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe in his place.
Brazil Awarded Penalty Against England
Seconds later Foster was lucky to stay on the field after bringing down Nilmar inside the area. An error from Brown put Foster under pressure and he brought the striker down but only escaped with a yellow card, England were also let off the hook after Luis Fabiano blazed the resulting spot kick high over the bar with Foster well beaten.
Incredible Hulk Comes On For Brazil
The impressive Elano, who had a spell at Premier League side Manchester City, was wthdrawn to be replaced by Dani Alves., while Hulk came on for Luis Fabiano, who was stretchered off following a clash of heads.
Milner went close to levelling the game up with England's best chance of the second half but he could not keep his shot down from Shaun Wright-Phillips' right-wing cross.
Lucio Hits England Post
A brave header from Brown prevented Brazil from taking a two-goal lead when he got in the way of an oncoming Nilmar and Lucio then rattled the post before Rooney was denied equaliser thanks to a neat save from Julio Cesar.
Capello brought on Peter Crouch and Tom Huddlestone for the remaining eight minutes as they went in search of an equaliser.
The result could have been far more damaging for England had it been for better finishing but the Brazilians deserved their victory and look in good form heading into the World Cup next year.
Teams
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Thiago Silva, Michel Bastos, Felipe Melo, Silva, Elano, Kaka, Nilmar, Luis Fabiano. Subs: Doni, Dani Alves, Luisao, Juan, Aurelio, Josue, Lucas, Alex, Baptista, Robinho, Carlos Eduardo, Hulk.
England: Foster, Brown, Upson, Lescott, Bridge, W-Ph'lips, Barry, Jenas, Milner, Rooney, Bent. Subs: Green, Cahill, Warnock, Huddlestone, Crouch, Defoe, Young, Hart.
Goal Nilmar 47
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