Brazilian stroll exposes England´s lack of depth

Brazil kept their World Cup preparations on track by cruising to a 1-0 win over a second-string England side here on Saturday that was much more comfortable than the close scoreline suggested.

A superbly-taken header by Villarreal striker Nilmar settled a contest the five-times world champions were always in control of and might easily have won by a bigger margin.

A penalty miss by Luis Fabiano ensured England, captained for the first time by Wayne Rooney, remained in contention until the end but, overall, the evening served to underline the importance of the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard — all of whom were absent injured — being fit for next year’s finals.

Brazil never demonstrated the kind of gear changes that will be required to overcome the likes of Spain in South Africa next year. But a cautious England never required them too and there was genuine quality in the angled through ball from Galatasaray midfielder Elano that enabled Nilmar to head the winner two minutes into the second half.

Twelve days after becoming a father for the first time, Rooney took his bow as England captain after John Terry became the ninth member of Fabio Capello’s first-choice line-up to be ruled out by injury.

Joleon Lescott came in for the regular skipper while Capello was also forced into a last-minute adjustment in midfield, where an ankle injury to Michael Carrick ensured Jermaine Jenas started his first international in over a year.

Rooney, winning his 57th cap at the age of 24, was supported in attack by Darren Bent, but England’s lack of adventure ensured the Sunderland striker had little chance to press his own World Cup case and he made way for Jermain Defoe before an hour had elapsed.

Given that England had won just three of their 22 previous encounters with Brazil, a hint of nerves among the back-up players on display was to be expected.

Matthew Upson, in particular, looked to be affected by stage fright as he left England exposed twice in quick succession by losing possession deep in England’s half.

A wayward shot by Felipe Melo and Nilmar’s failure to produce a telling cross ensured the slips were not exploited and it was not until the 23rd minute that the Brazilians had a clear sight of goal.

Kaka’s clever pass inside Wes Brown played Michel Bastos into the box and the leftback’s drive forced Foster into a full-length dive as it skidded beyond the far post.

England responded immediately with a half-chance of their own, Bent heading James Milner’s cross from the left over the bar.

Foster, who had looked tentative as he fluffed an early clearance, appeared more composed as he gathered strikes from Felipe Melo and Kaka.

The stifling effect of Brazil’s deployment of two midfielders charged with protecting their back four was limiting Rooney’s involvement but there was a glimpse of his threat when he sidestepped Thiago Silva on the edge of the box, provoking a body check from the centreback that went unsanctioned.

Given how cautiously his side had played, Capello would have been happy to be level at the break but they were soon behind to a goal that served as a reminder of the importance of Terry and Ferdinand to their hopes in South Africa.

From just to the right of the centre circle, Elano floated a ball over the heads of the stand-in centrebacks and, having darted in behind them from the left, Nilmar steered his header beyond Foster into the far corner of the net.

England should have fallen two behind after Wes Brown’s misguided attempt to chest the ball back to Foster allowed Luis Fabiano to nick the ball past the goalkeeper.

Foster’s dive sent the striker tumbling but England were granted a double reprieve as the referee only produced a yellow card and Fabiano lifted the resulting spot-kick over the bar.

James Milner might have made the Brazilians pay for that when Wright-Phillips’ cross found him unmarked at the back post.

But the Aston Villa winger’s volley comfortably cleared the bar and there was another late let-off for England when a shot from Brazilian captain Lucio beat Foster but came back off the post.