Dynamic Beckham justifies recall as England draw with Brazil

DAVID BECKHAM returned to the international stage with a dynamic display that justified his recall and raised further questions about Steve McClaren’s original decision to drop him.

Seventy-seven minutes of energy, precise passing and deadly dead-balls saw the 32-year-old cheered from the pitch when substituted. Beckham had already departed from the Wembley stage after creating England’s goal for his successor to the captain’s armband, John Terry, when slack marking allowed the visitors claim a deserved injury-time equaliser.

It would now be simply unthinkable for McClaren not to have Beckham in his starting line-up for Wednesday’s must-win tussle in Tallinn against Estonia.

McClaren’s defenders took time to settle and Kaka earned himself space with some neat footwork before he scuffed the finish.

Ledley King, who had a good return to the national side himself barring his doziness for Brazil’s goal, stepped in to end a dynamic Ronaldinho run into the heart of England’s defence.

Brazil skipper Gilberto Silva headed the ball into the England net only to see his goal ruled out even though it appeared it was Vagner Love who had strayed offside.

On 30 minutes Beckham fired a trademark curled free kick a whisker past the post. Soon after Vagner Love was tugged back by King on the edge of the box but Ronaldinho’s free kick was off target.

Brazil continued to enjoy a good spell, Ronaldinho’s first-time shot from Kaka’s pass took a deflection off King and Paul Robinson somehow managed to react quick enough to pull off a stupendous save.

On the hour Beckham’s free-kick picked out Owen but the Newcastle striker’s header dropped just onto the roof of the net.

Beckham then set up Owen with a marvellous reverse pass but he could only nod the ball into the Brazil keeper’s hands.

Finally, in the 68th minute, Beckham delivered a pinpoint free-kick to the far post, allowing Terry guide the ball past Helton with his head.

Brazil nearly equalised when Afonso sneaked in but he could only steer the ball wide. Afonso could again have pulled Brazil level but headed over from close range.

Finally, some hopeless marking did let Brazil in. Gilberto Silva lofted the ball into the box in injury time and with King out of position Werder Bremen’s Diego came surging in to head low past Robinson.

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

BRAZIL: Helton, Daniel (Maicon 65), Naldo, Juan, Gilberto, Ronaldinho, Mineiro (Edmilson 63), Gilberto Silva, Kaka (Alves 71), Robinho (Diego 74), Vagner Love.

Ref: Markus Merk (Germany).