Football: England hold Brazil in Maracana friendly

England gave World Cup hosts Brazil a fright Sunday as they held the five-time world champions to an entertaining 2-2 draw in a prestige friendly in Rio de Janeiro.

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 South American giants.

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.