Seaman haunted by Nayim blunder

Brazil’s winning goal brought back terrible memories for one man in particular - David Seaman.

After a near-faultless World Cup, England’s goalkeeper was caught off his line by Ronaldinho’s unexpected free-kick in a moment disastrously familiar for the 38-year-old.

Seven years ago, in the very last minute of Arsenal’s European Cup Winners’ Cup final against Real Zaragoza, Seaman was left hopelessly flapping at a 50-yard lob from Spanish midfielder Nayim.

As he lay entangled in the net - in similar scenes to today at Shizuoka - the veteran could reflect once again how closely glory sits to disaster.

For Seaman, that night in 1995 has lived with him ever since.

He said: ‘‘I always know that I am one mistake away from trouble. As a goalkeeper you can be a hero for 89 minutes and then all of a sudden ’bang’, you’ve made an error and the game’s over.

‘‘I should know. It happened to me in the Parc des Princes when Nayim scored from such a long way out. I had actually had a great game and had made plenty of saves and then that happened. Nightmare.

‘‘Of course, that’s what people remember and I suppose it’s what I remember. The last kick of the match. I must admit, that reminded me of the pitfalls of the profession.

‘‘I even had a funny feeling when I went back to that ground with England. It’s hard to forget.

Something like that may never happen again but it’s a reminder of what can go wrong.’’

Seaman had another reminder in the heat of Japan today - and England are on their way home.