Paulinho denies Englan
Oxlade-chamberlain and Rooney strike as Brazil are given a fright in new Maracana
Brazil Fred (57), Paulinho (82) England Oxlade-Chamberlain (67), Rooney (79)
2
2 alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wayne Rooney, but Paulinho struck eight minutes from time to level the first game at the world-famous Maracana since its £300million redevelopment.
Phil Jones made his first England start in over a year as Roy hodgson’s depleted squad set about the huge task of beating Brazil on a historic night.
The Manchester united man was expected to sit deep in midfield alongside Michael Carrick in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
James Milner replaced the injured Daniel sturridge, while hodgson drafted in leighton Baines for ashley Cole at leftback.
luiz Felipe scolari included QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar, plus Chelsea’s David luiz and Oscar in the Brazil starting Xi.
neymar, who will move to Barcelona today, lined up in attack alongside Fred, who scored the selecao’s only goal in their 2-1 defeat against the Three lions at Wembley in February. after the recent flak that had come his squad’s way, this was the perfect opportunity for hodgson’s men to prove that they have the mettle to compete with the best teams on the planet.
amid a booming atmosphere inside the world-famous stadium – which was surprisingly not full – England started comfortably but Brazil did have an early chance through neymar, whose shot was blocked by Baines.
Michael Carrick’s foul on Oscar gave neymar another opportunity, but he curled his free-kick straight in to Joe hart’s arms. Brazil edged the first 20 minutes, dominating possession, but their final product was often poor.
The home crowd started to get annoyed, but Dani alves lifted them with a 30-yard drive which flew just past hart’s right-hand post.
Theo Walcott, starting on the right wing, looked the most dangerous England player, but he was easily dispossessed during two runs at the home defence.
Glen Johnson then made a mess of clearing a simple long diagonal pass, but hart was equal to neymar’s close-range shot.
neymar found space on the edge of the England box in the 22nd minute and curled a wicked shot that slipped