Toon Duo Wear The Shirt With Pride

Last updated : 02 June 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

ENGLAND: Robinson, Carragher, King, Terry (Brown 72), Shorey, Beckham (Jenas 77), Gerrard, Lampard (Carrick 88), Cole (Downing 62), Smith (Dyer 62), Owen (Crouch 83).

Subs Not Used: Carson, Bridge, Neville, Bentley, Green, Defoe.

Owen had a couple of chances, going close once, but he was starved of the ball for most of the first half. Dyer looked lively during his 30 minutes.

David Beckham ended his 11-month exile by setting up England's goal as they drew 1-1 with Brazil in the first senior international game at the new Wembley.

The Real Madrid midfielder returned to the national team with a dynamic display that justified his recall and raised further questions about Steve McClaren's original decision to drop him.

Beckham had already departed from the Wembley stage after creating England's goal for his successor to the captain's armband, John Terry, when some slack marking allowed the highly-skilled visitors from Brazil to claim a deserved injury-time equaliser.

Terry: "David was different class, his delivery is superb. It was a great ball from Becks and it was about time I scored again.

"We started really well and got a few early tackles in from Stevie (Gerrard) and Alan Smith which set the tone and we went on from there."

McClaren: "I'm disappointed Frank Lampard was booed. I don't like that for any player. But Frank is a tough kid and he has been through criticism before.

"People doubted he and Steven Gerrard can play together but they proved against a world-class team that they can do their job and they did it very well.

"I brought Beckham back because he was playing well. When he's playing well, there is no better right-sided player in the world. He showed that tonight.

"It was fitting. We thought we had a chance on set plays. And his delivery was exceptional. He put it on John Terry's head and JT does not miss from there. It was fitting and apt and a pity we didn't get the result to go with it.

"There has been a great debate. But we picked David Beckham because of David Beckham the player. Since the new year his performances have been fit and strong and he deserved his place in the team on performance.

"Our only focus is on Wednesday and a good performance. I'm not looking beyond that. The players worked very hard for a result.

"It was disappointing and we didn't deserve that - we deserved to win, but we have to learn from that and keep our concentration until the final whistle.

"Everyone did their job. The team was most important - the preparation was all about Wednesday, that was the key. We got the balance just about right until last 15 seconds."