Beckham steps from the circus to provide England's sole threat

Brazilians have never understood the English fascination with David Beckham. Blessed with a production line of genuine world class talent they have never had to, while their last competitive meeting with the most famous player on the planet provided all the proof they required that here was a star of style over substance.

"An ordinary player," was the damning verdict of the legendary Jairzinho after the World Cup quarter-final in 2002 when Beckham's leap over a tackle from Roque Junior led to the Rivaldo goal that turned the tide in Shizuoka and started the argument about tactical inertia in Sven Goran Eriksson.

They should have a greater appreciation of his worth to England this morning, however, after a return from the international wilderness that illustrated how Beckham is often the only potent threat this team carries. It was the case during a demoralising World Cup in Germany, and it was the case during his first appearance for Steve McClaren last night.

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Beckham's 10-month absence from the international scene had not only made the heart of the Wembley crowd grow fonder for the former England captain, it created a yearning akin to a teenage audience at a boy-band concert.

When the face that has adorned Times Square, thousands of magazine covers and represents a multi-national industry of its own glanced down from the giant stadium screens before the warm-up there was a shrill of noise that only the applause for the late Alan Ball could match before the game's opening goal.

The admiration for England's most recognisable export was undeniable, the respect tangible for a player who accepted his demotion with dignity and earned a return purely on form, but it must also be noted that many cheers for Beckham were motivated also by the ill-feeling that accompanied McClaren back from the torturous encounter against Andorra in Barcelona.

Supporters who initially accepted the England manager's decision to adopt a younger, less individualistic approach to the national team have been encouraged to re-write history due to the paucity of the present. All of which, of course, worked in Beckham's favour.

The first England game at the new Wembley, and a visit from the everybody's favourite second team, Ronaldinho and Kaka along for the ride but not for the Copa America, and yet the Real Madrid midfielder provided the dominant theme regardless of his contribution to the performance. Precisely the kind of distraction McClaren had hoped to escape before reality bit brutally hard.

The performance taken in isolation, and Beckham deserved that treatment despite the circus that has surrounded his return to the fold for the past week, was more encouraging than that of the England team as a whole for long periods.

Until Steven Gerrard found his feet and authority in the defensive midfield role the 32-year-old was comfortably the team's dominant figure and their only semblance of an attacking instinct, immaculate passes towards Michael Owen and to Joe Cole providing the only promise in a poor first half.

Free-kicks that produced only quizzical looks in Beckham's absence took on an old, productive dimension with his trademark run up restored behind them.

That script almost materialised in the 29th minute when Mineiro's foul on Gerrard presented the midfielder with an inviting set-piece from 25 yards, but his shot sailed inches wide with Brazil goalkeeper Helton well beaten.

A second half delivery almost led to the opening goal via the head of Owen, only for the Newcastle forward to glance narrowly over, but in the 68th minute came justification for the recall and all the hysteria that has surrounded it when his deep free-kick to the far post presented his replacement as captain, John Terry, with the glorious opportunity to open England's new Wembley account with victory.

As the majority of England players chased the goalscorer in celebration, Beckham turned to face his reunion with the Wembley crowd. Arms out-stretched, chest forward, lips pursed; back in the old routine.

Man-for-man marking

England

* PAUL ROBINSON: 7

Fine after punching away early Ronaldinho rocket. Later made a fine reaction stop, too

* JAMIE CARRAGHER: 5.5

Up and at 'em as usual. Became more physical as need to nail slippery skills intensified

* LEDLEY KING: 5

Prone to errors. Gave away dangerous, unnecessary free-kick for over-tough Love challenge

* JOHN TERRY: 7

Stood up to Kaka, setting a tone that limited but did not eradicate Samba advances. Good goal

* NICKY SHOREY: 6

Best England show by a Reading man in 100 years. Only one, mind. Unspectacularly solid

* DAVID BECKHAM: 7.5

Show off! Returns from nowheresville to run, tackle and deliver with the best of them

* STEVEN GERRARD: 7

Varied between 'scruff of the neck' conviction and 'take that' thoroughness. Good night personally

* FRANK LAMPARD: 5

At times had the touch of a numb man. Made only one decent pass in first half. Forgettable

* JOE COLE: 6

England's best player in the early stages. Lively runs, attacking intent. Understandably faded

* MICHAEL OWEN: 5.5

You cannot feast on scraps and his runs on bare service were as frustrating as pointless

* ALAN SMITH: 5.5

Two goals in last 50 games is not confidence-boosting stuff. But he is a trier, and dug in

* SUBSTITUTES Downing (on for Cole), lashed a left-foot corker over: 6. Dyer (Smith) 5. Wes Brown (Terry)5. Jenas (Beckham)4. Crouch (Owen) no mark.

Brazil

By Nick Harris

* HELTON: 5.5

The 29-year-old Porto stopper barely had a shot to save and was helpless for Terry's header

* DANIEL ALVES: 5

Seville's 'right-sided Roberto Carlos' was less impressive and much quieter than his hero

* NALDO: 6

At 6ft 5in, the tallest man ever to play for Brazil was deceptively quick at closing down play

* JUAN: 6.5

Big and strong, just like fellow centre-half. Better in the air, pressed Beckham to curtail threat

* GILBERTO: 5.5

You cannot all be artists, and the Hertha Berlin man showed - ahem - 'efficiency' in the tackle

* MINEIRO: 6.5

Brazil's national motto is Ordem e Progresso - 'Order and Progress'. Functional not flashy

* GILBERTO SILVA: 5.5

Probing influence who had a headed goal chalked offside. Disappointing scuffed shot later

* KAKA: 6

Ipanema to Robinho's Copacabana: classier but no more enjoyable to watch, or effective

* ROBINHO: 7

As eye-catching as his compatriot supermodel Gisele. Better at stepovers. Worse at scoring

* WAGNER LOVE: 6

As bright as an Amazonian Toco Toucan. But less about his hair. His off-shoulder runs were nifty, too

* RONALDINHO: 7

The goofy little genius was a thrill at times. Still has the punch of a heady Caipirinha

* SUBSTITUTES Edmilson (for Mineiro), Maicon (Daniel), neither had enough time. 5. Alves (Kaka), urgency that would not come. 5. Diego (Robinho) equalised.