England hold Brazil in Maracana friendly

England coach Roy Hodgson lamented a win that got away after his side gave World Cup hosts Brazil a fright Sunday in holding the five-time world champions to an entertaining 2-2 draw in a prestige friendly in Rio de Janeiro.

England coach Roy Hodgson lamented a win that got away after his side gave World Cup hosts Brazil a fright Sunday in holding the five-time world champions to an entertaining 2-2 draw in a prestige friendly in Rio de Janeiro.

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The visitors, victorious on their last visit back in 1984, when John Barnes famously clinched the win with a solo effort, were on the ropes in an absorbing first half which Brazil largely dominated, but held their own until 12 minutes after the restart when Fred scored for the hosts.

But a neat strike from substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and then a rasping drive from Wayne Rooney turned the match on its head before Paulinho volleyed in eight minutes from time to level a contest held to mark the multi-million dollar refurbishment of the Maracana stadium.

Alex’s dad dozes off
London: Former England winger Mark Chamberlain missed his son Alex's goal because he fell asleep during the friendly. “I didn't see it. I was dropping his mother off at the airport at 6 a.m. this morning so I fell asleep,” said Chamberlain, who played for England when they won in Brazil in 1984. “I've had loads of texts saying it was a fantastic goal.”

On being told about his father’s dozing off, the player said, “Did he fall asleep? That sounds like him.”