England produced its best display under Steve McClaren as it nearly blanked out Brazil in a historic night for English football. England v Brazil ended 1-1.

In the thick of things was former captain David Beckham, whose scintillating performance gave more fuel to questions as to why he was dropped from the side in the first place. The 32-year old looked lively on the right midfield and has all but confirmed his starting spot ahead of England's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia on Wednesday.

As expected Reading's Nicky Shorey got his debut for England, while Ledley King won the fight for the vacant spot in the centre of the defense. Michael Owen got his first start for England since the world cup while Lampard managed to hold on to his place in the central midfield.

Brazil started the match strongly and should have taken the lead in the 19th minute when Gilberto Silva headed in the goal. However his effort was ruled offside, even though replays showed Vagner Love to be the culprit. England settled down and started to produce a decent passing game.

Beckham produced the first real chance for England, when his curling free kick swerved agonizingly wide of the post in the 29th minute. Brazil came out into the second half in an attacking mood and were nearly rewarded in the 49th minute when Ronaldinho's shot was saved brilliantly by Paul Robinson following a deflection from Ledley King.

Beckham was looking dangerous from dead-ball situations and he provided a great chance for Michael Owen to put England in the lead, only for the Newcastle striker to head the ball over the bar. McClaren changed the team a bit in the 61st minute, bringing on Kieron Dyer and Stewart Downing for Joe Cole and Alan Smith.

Steven Gerrard was handed over a deeper role in the midfield in order to allow Lampard some attacking freedom. However the Chelsea midfielder failed to reproduce his club form on the national level, mishitting passes and once again failing to hit the target.

England finally took the lead in the 68th minute and the threat once again came from a dead-ball situation. Beckham curled in a delightful free kick at the far post and John Terry rose above Naldo to fire home the first goal at the new Wembley.

However the England captain got himself injured in the process and had to be replaced by Wes Brown in the 72nd minute. Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves nearly scored on his debut as he latched on a shocker of a back pass by Brown. However Robinson was quickly off the lines and Alves shot wide of the goal.

Beckham went off the field to a standing ovation from the Wembley crowd and was replaced by Jermaine Jenas in the 77th minute. McClaren decided to give other players a run in and sent on Peter Crouch and Michael Carrick for Owen and Lampard.

While Beckham received cheers from the crowd, Lampard was booed off the pitch and has to spend couple of sleepless nights before knowing whether he keeps his place for the game against Estonia. Just when it looked like England had pulled off a fairytale win in the first match at new Wembley, Brazil equalized late into injury time.

Gilberto Silva hit in a hopeful ball from the left hand side and Werder Bremen midfielder, who replaced Robinho in the 74th minute, headed in the goal from 12-yards out.

A seemingly shy McClaren praised the performance of David Beckham hailing him as the best right midfielder in the world when on form. He explained that Beckham was recalled to the team because of his special form shown during his final few days at Real Madrid.