International Friendlies

SAMBA BEAT: Brazil's players celebrate the winning goal against England at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday. /Getty Images

Wayne Rooney's first game as England captain ended in defeat as a severely depleted side were beaten by five-time world champions Brazil in Qatar.

Fabio Capello's side fell victim to a goal early in the second period from Nilmar to leave England still without a win in eight matches on neutral territory against the Brazilians.

Fabiano also missed a penalty for Brazil, who unsurprisingly dominated possession.

They were aided by an England midfield which gave the ball away far too easily and consequently the front two of Rooney and Darren Bent were starved of any worthwhile service.

But this was no vintage performance by Brazil and their trickery was largely confined to in front of the back four and goalkeeper Ben Foster, apart from an impressive spell after the break.

Capello will now have four months to reflect on how many of his fringe players pushed their claims to be part of his World Cup plans before the next international in early March.

England began promisingly and a low cross from Shaun Wright-Phillips just eluded the run of Rooney into the Brazilian box, but Dunga's side were soon in control and knocking the ball around in confident style.

A mistake by Matthew Upson allowed Nilmar to cut in unopposed from the left flank but his low centre was intercepted by Bridge.

Kaka showed his class and determination in shaking off challenges from Barry and Jenas before attempting to release Fabiano but Bridge was alert to the situation.

Felipe Melo got the better of a tussle with Upson but overran the ball and Foster was able to hack clear, albeit in unconvincing fashion.

Kaka was pulling the strings and the Real Madrid star picked out the overlapping Michel Bastos whose cross-cum-shot fizzed just past Foster's left hand post.

Melo then showed neat skill to create space for himself on the edge of the box but his shot sailed straight at Foster.

Kaka forced Foster to save away to his left with an angled drive after linking up well again with Fabiano as the half ended goalless.

But it needed only 90 seconds of the second half for Brazil to break the deadlock through Nilmar.

Elano's dipping cross picked out the run of Nilmar, who got in between Lescott and Upson before arrowing his header past the dive of Foster into the corner of the net.

Bent had little opportunity to impress before he was substituted after 54 minutes and replaced by Jermain Defoe.

A minute later Brazil had a golden chance to double their lead when goalscorer Nilmar was brought down in the area by Foster after Wes Brown had attempted to chest the ball back to him.

Foster was shown a yellow card but England were given a reprieve when Fabiano sent his spot-kick high over the crossbar.

There was little to enthuse about in a low-key finale to the game as both teams made several substitutions, although Lucio crashed a shot against the post.

There was time for Capello to hand a debut to Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone, who replaced Barry.

Teenager Aaron Ramsey masterminded victory for Wales in the first international at Cardiff City Stadium to heap further pressure on Scotland manager George Burley.

The 18-year-old Arsenal midfielder scored a brilliant solo goal and helped create the other two for David Edwards and Simon Church in a devastating first-half performance from the hosts.

Scotland boss Burley will face an inquest now with his team jeered off at the end and the Tartan Army demanding his exit.

Wales' kids have had a daunting few years, but they came of age in first half at Cardiff's new ground, with Ramsey's brilliance supplemented by fine displays from Joe Ledley and captain Ashley Williams.

The expected discontent from Cardiff fans at the appointment of Swansea's Williams - the 11th skipper in boss John Toshack's five-year reign - never came as Wales responded to a strong opening spell from the visitors with a dominant display.

Celtic's Daniel Fox made his Scotland debut at left-back and almost created a goal for James McFadden early on with a cross that the Birmingham forward caught first-time, but Wayne Hennessey saved with his legs.

Scotland had Wales pinned back and Kenny Miller came close with a low drive.

Slowly, though, Wales came into the game with Ramsey pulling the strings from midfield.

The Arsenal teenager combined with Sam Ricketts on the right as the hosts grabbed a 17th-minute lead.

Ricketts played Ramsey in behind Fox, and the pulled-back cross was volleyed in from 12 yards by Edwards.

Ramsey was really into full flow and after 32 minutes his cross-field ball found Joe Ledley, with the Cardiff man striking his cross to the near post for Church to turn past David Marshall.