'I can't really remember it to be honest!': Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the dark about his England goal against Brazil, as father admits he slept through action

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admitted he could recall little of his dramatic contribution to England's draw in Brazil (Getty)

The Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a historic goal in England’s 2-2 draw with Brazil at the Maracana, 29 years after his father Mark Chamberlain played there in the same fixture.

But Chamberlain later admitted that he missed seeing his son’s goal live on television because he had fallen asleep watching the game. When he was told after the game that his father, who won eight caps for England between 1982 and 1984, had missed the goal Oxlade-Chamberlain said that he was “not surprised”. “That sounds just like him,” he added, "he'll probably be the last person to get in touch!"

Asked about his goal, a low shot teed up by Wayne Rooney, he said: I can't really remember it to be honest. I think I played it to Lamps [Frank Lampard], he played it round the corner to Wazza, he set it and I just hit it.”

Although England struggled to gain a foothold in the game in the first half, they improved after the break. Having gone behind to Fred’s goal, they took the lead through Oxlade-Chamberlain and then Wayne Rooney before Paulinho scored an equaliser for Brazil four minutes before the end.

Hodgson said that his team had responded well after the break. He said: “We started the second half much better. In the first half we were far too cautious which was understandable on a different pitch to the type we're used to. It was a big pitch and hot and we were against an exceptional team. We’re disappointed we didn't move the ball quicker and play the football we can do.

“In the second half did that and we were good value for 2-1. There were a few dangerous moment but a wonder-strike from Paulinho got them back in it. I’m sure they will say they deserved that but I’m satisfied with what have done here. It’s not easy to come here at the end of the season and play two hard games and I’m pleased we could finish the season, at least in our eyes, on a good note.

“After the Wembley game [in which they beat Brazil in February] we got a lot of praise and that sent us away on a high but we have to be careful. We are mindful that the next performance [against Montenegro in March, a 1-1 draw] wasn't that good.

“The last two games were very different performances against two very different sides but I think there are a lot of positives to take out of it, not least that a lot of players we will be counting on in the autumn were not available for us.”