Super Spence

Jordan Spence scored an injury-time winner as England dramatically stole top-spot in Group B from under the noses of Brazil.

After going behind to a freak goal when Tales curled in a 40-yard free-kick, the young Lions battled back and equalised through Henri Lansbury's penalty.

But the drama was not finished there. After Alex Smithies saved a penalty, it was left to Spence to grab a late winner when he deflected in Lansbury's shot to left the Brazilians dumbstruck.

On another warm afternoon at the impressive Goyang Stadium, the teams warmed up as 'The Winner Takes It All' appropriately blared out of the loud speakers. Not that anyone in the majestic arena needed reminding that the team emerging victorious from today's clash would top Group B.

The young Lions, resplendent in all-white, threw England caps into the crowd moments after the shaking hands with the Brazil side, a gesture appreciated by the enthusiastic fans.

Head Coach John Peacock made three changes from the side that hammered New Zealand, recalling Jonathan Franks and Henri Lansbury while Gavin Hoyte, who finished the previous game at left-back, was included ahead of James Reid.

Brazil won a free-kick withing moments of the start which allowed the Samba Boys an early chance to test Smithies, but the young keeper was never going to be troubled by Fellipe's 40-yard daisy-cutter, even if he took a Roberto Carlos style run-up.

For all the talk about Brazil's attacking prowess, it was England who fashioned the first opening after eight minutes.

Jonathan Franks did tremendously well down the right flank to escape the clutches of two defenders before pulling the ball back to the on-rushing Lansbury. The midfielder's shot was accurate, if lacking a little power, allowing Marcelo to push it behind.

From the resulting Franks corner, Victor Moses rose highest but his header landed on top of the roof of the net. At times England had to defend stoically during the early sparring, often killing Brazilian attacks by packing their own half with willing troops. However, the direct running of Maicon and Tales was proving a threat.

The young Lions were causing their own problems though and Moses might have done better after being played through but he sliced wide with his left foot.

Brazil went ahead with a goal on 19 minutes that opened up another Ronaldinho 'did he, didn't he mean it?' debate. After Michael Woods was harshly penalised for a foul on Tales, the Brazilian dusted himself off and took aim from 40 yards.

The ball sailed over Smithies and into the top corner although only the taker could tell you if he meant to shoot.

Bouyed by taking the lead, a now rampant Brazil piled forward in their droves. With sheer pace and exquisite touch, each move was a joy to watch. No wonder they are tournament favourites.

Fabio, with three goals already this tournament despite being a defender, blazed a great opening over the bar on 30 minutes after a wonderful back-heel from Luhinha. The little magician Lulinha, dubbed 'Lula', then mis-hit a shot straight at Smithies when clean through.

Another sublime move released Tales moments later. With a delightful turn which left Spence for dead, Tales fired towards the corner only for Smithies to make an excellent save. Maicon then headed a Fabio cross over the bar as Brazil continued to dominate.

But England held on resiliently and were rewarded with an equaliser in injury-time. After Rafael was penalised for a handball under pressure from Daniel Gosling, Lansbury took responsibility and clinically stroked the ball into the bottom corner past the despairing Marcelo.

The second half took a while to stoke up, but once it did, both keepers were kept busy. After Smithies made another fine stop on 66 minutes, Woods stormed through the Brazilian defence a minute later but his shot lacked the necessary venom to test Marcelo.

Play soon switched to the other end as Alex scorched through before firing a powerful shot which Smithies did well to hold. Back came England as Franks attacked the right flank at pace before delivering an intiving cross which Welbeck pounced on ahead of Rafael. But Marcelo was alert to the danger, narrowing the angles to save.

English hearts missed a beat when Brazil won a penalty on 79 minutes following Gavin Hoyte's ungainly lunge on Lulinha.

But this would be Smithies' moment. Pointing to the corner he thought the penalty would go, much like Babe Ruth did famously before swinging at a pitch, the Huddersfield keeper launched himself to his left to save Lulinha's spot-kick.

There was a sting in the tail - luckily it belonged to the right boot of Spence.

After the game England Head Coach Steve McClaren said: "It's a terrific achievement to beat Brazil, who are one of the best teams in the world at this level and one of the pre-tournament favourites. John Peacock, his coaches and the players all deserve enormous credit for winning their group in style and putting in such confident performances. They can now go into the knock-out stages full of confidence."

England: 13 Alex Smithies, 2 Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi, 4 Henri Lansbury, 5 Krystian Pearce, 7 Daniel Welbeck (11 Nathan Porritt, 84 mins), 10 Victor Moses (9 Rhys Murphy, 74 mins), 12 Daniel Gosling, 14 Michael Woods (8 Tom Taiwo, 69 mins), 15 Jordan Spence, 16 Gavin Hoyte, 18 Jonathan Franks.

Subs not used: 1 Jason Steele, 3 James Reid, 6 Thomas Smith, 17 Tristan Plummer, 19 Ashley Chambers, 20 Medy Elito, 21 Wesley Foderingham.

Head Coach: John Peacock

Yellow cards: Henri Lansbury, 59 mins

Red card: Tom Taiwo, 90 mins

Brazil: 1 Marcelo, 2 Rafael, 3 Lazaro, 6 Fabio, 8 Fellipe, 9 Maicon (20 Fabinho 45 mins, 19 Choco, 86 mins), 10 Lulinha, 11 Alex, 15 Daniel, 17 Tales, 18 Guiliano.

Subs not used: 4 Forster, 5 Leonardo, 7 Junior, 12 Renan, 13 Michel, 14 Lucas, 16 Bruno Collaco, 21 Leonardo.

Head Coach: Luis Antonio Nizzo

Yellow cards: Fellipe 20 mins, Rafael 45 mins, Fabio 81 mins

Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)

Assistant Referees: Tomislav Petrovic (CRO) & Tomislav Setka (CRO)

Fourth Official: Grzegorz Gilewski (POL)