England 2 Brazil 1: Jack Wilshere shines as Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard give Roy Hodgson's men famous win

Roy Hodgson was pleased with “a good victory” in which his men had “taken control of the game” after what the England boss called a “mad spell” which had let Brazil back into things.

He was referring to a moment which is likely to haunt Gary Cahill. Before anyone had a chance to draw breath after the break the big centre-half had lost the ball 30 yards out and could only watch in horror as Fred, newly on as a substitute, dispatched his effort left to right past Joe Hart.

Cahill covered his face with his hands as the samba beat out in celebration from the stands. Within seconds Fred — top scorer in Brazil last season — was back for more, sending a shot onto the bar.

There had been warnings, for despite a generally assured opening half the home side gave the ball away too easily when not under pressure in the final third.

Still, England were prepared to take the match to the visitors on a gala occasion marking the FA's 150th anniversary.

Their reward for persistence arrived in the 59th minute. For the umpteenth time Theo Walcott made hay down the right before Wayne Rooney dug out his cross and Frank Lampard, who had appeared after the break to win his 94th cap, curled a sumptuous effort home off the post.

After that Oscar and Neymar did their best to find another goal but England were prepared to dig in and weather the storm. In truth they had already done so once before on the night.

The visitors should have been ahead on 17 minutes when the Portuguese referee gave a penalty against Jack Wilshere for a fairly soft-looking handball.

Thereafter Ronaldinho shaped and shimmied, but sent his spot-kick low and too close to Joe Hart who saved before the ball was cleared from an ensuing melee.

That was inspiration enough for the home side. In the 27th minute when, having been put through by a precision ball from man-of-the-match Wilshere, Walcott forced a save from Julio Cesar only for the ball to arrive at the feet on the onrushing Rooney.

The Manchester United man drilled it between two defenders to score his 33rd goal for his country. On the bench Hodgson clapped his hands above his head and rightly smiled.

Neymar should have levelled 10 minutes later, while decent efforts from Rooney and Walcott followed before half-time.

Despite the environment England will know they beat the best Brazil had to offer. With just seven caps to his name Wilshire, in particular, was a notable success but also Walcott, while Rooney looked sharp and keen.

In truth Brazil, who set up in a fluid 4-2-2-2 formation, do not look as though they possess enough to trouble Spain and even the likes of Argentina and Germany in their own backyard next summer.

Their manager Luiz Felipe Scolari insisted they “are not in the best physical condition,” but a promise followed that they soon would be.