Source Notes

An impressive Michael Owen was on target for England, but Brazil fought back well to earn a draw at Wembley.  Owen, who has struggled for much of the season with injury, looked very sharp throughout the game and staked a big claim for a starting place up front in Euro 2000.  His goal came on 38 minutes and was a typical opportunist strike. Alan Shearer held the ball up well and the Liverpool man showed admirable poise to get the ball out from under his feet and slot neatly past Dida in the Brazil goal.  Owen's opener was no more than England deserved after dominating the first half, David Beckham's curling crosses from the right-wing proving a constant threat.

Shearer and Martin Keown both rose well to meet Beckham free-kicks but headed straight at Dida, and the Brazil keeper then had to get down low to turn a Dennis Wise drive round the post.  Brazil, for all their neat touches, struggled to find their fluency and to cope with England's pressing play.  But on the stroke of half-time, they fashioned an equaliser against the run of play that instantly undid all England's good work.  From a high inswinging corner, young striker Franca escaped the attention of Sol Campbell and his header beat a stranded David Seaman and Gary Neville at the near post.  That goal gave the visitors more heart for the second half, and they certainly stepped up a gear or two after the break.

Rivaldo, who had been quiet thus far, got more of the ball and sent a fierce strike just over the bar while Cafu found space in the England box only to horribly miscue his shot. Roberto Carlos then came off the bench and smashed a trademark 30-yard thunderbolt inches wide of David Seaman's left-hand post.

As the game became more stretched, man-of-the-match Owen forced Dida into another fine save after an exciting pacy run but England were beginning to wilt.  Both sides introduced more substitutes towards the end in an effort to win the game and assess some of the other players in their squads ahead of more crucial tests, but no-one could find a winner and an open and attractive game ended for an honourable draw.

TheFA.com
Original newspaper reports
Rothman's Yearbooks
F.A. Yearbook
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