Nilmar 47

A virtually second-string England line-up fell to predictable defeat in this friendly in Doha, Qatar against a Brazil side missing fewer first-choice players.

Nilmar’s skilfully-placed header from Elano’s exquisite pass on 47 minutes was the difference on the scoreboard.

And England had Luis Fabiano’s wild inaccuracy from the penalty spot to thank for avoiding a bigger defeat.

However, it will be a surprise if more than three of Fabio Capello’s starting line-up will kick-off England’s World Cup finals campaign in South Africa next June.

Of the eleven which took the field, only stand-in captain Wayne Rooney and midfielder Garth Barry are likely first-choices.

And this lack of player availability explained much, though by no means all, of England’s failings.

Capello’s well-organised men restricted the Brazilians to few first-half chances.

Keeper Ben Foster saved comfortably from Felipe Melo and Kaka, while left-back Michel Bastos was narrowly wide with a well-struck left-foot shot.

But once Nilmar headed the World Cup favourites in front, the game opened out and England were fortunate not to concede again.

Nine minutes later, a poor Wes Brown back header fell short of Foster, allowing Nilmar to nip in between defender and keeper before being sent flying by Foster’s challenge.

A competitive game might have seen Foster sent-off. But he only saw yellow, and then saw Luis Fabiano’s penalty fly high to his left and over the bar.

England’s best chance came on 68 minutes when James Milner, one of the few understudies to enhance his World Cup prospects, volleyed a Shaun Wright-Phillips cross over the bar.

But to underline the Brazilian’s superiority, their veteran centre-back Lucio struck a post on 77 minutes with a left-foot screamer past Foster’s left hand from 25 yards.

And a late England rally only produced one shot of note, from Rooney, which gave Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar his only meaningful work of the night.