Brazil 1-0 England November 2009

Kaká battles it out

A second-half goal by Nilmar was the difference in a forgettable match between Brazil and England in Qatar on Saturday.

The Villarreal man struck in the first minute of the second period after heading in a lovely floated ball from ex Manchester City player, Elano.

Less than ten minutes later, Brazil were awarded a penalty when Ben Foster clattered into Nilmar. The keeper should have been sent off but stayed on to see Luís Fabiano sky his shot.

England were also lucky not to concede when Lúcio struck the post with Foster well beaten.

Brazil remained in control throughout the rest of the second period as an England side missing a number of regular first-teamers rarely threatened Júlio César.

Michel Bastos, Carlos Eduardo and ‘Hulk’ all made debuts but only Bastos would have given Dunga something to think about.

Brazil are next in action against Oman in Muscat on November 17th.

Match highlights here

Brazil: Julio César, Maicon, Lúcio, Thiago Silva, Michel Bastos, Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo, Elano (Daniel Alves), Kaká (Julio Baptista), Nilmar (Carlos Eduardo), Luis Fabiano (Hulk).

Coach: Dunga

England: Foster, Brown, Upson, Lescott, Bridge, Milner (Young), Jenas, Wright Phillips (Crouch), Barry (Huddlestone), Rooney, Bent (Defoe).

Coach: Fábio Capello

Goal: Nilmar 46 minutes

Venue: Khalifa International stadium, Doha, Qatar

Date: 14/11/2009.

Officials: Adbulrahman Abdou, Waleed Al Mannai, Mohammed Dharman (all Qatar).