With England’s eagerly anticipated international against Brazil only a day away we look back at their six best previous clashes.

ENGLAND 4 BRAZIL 2 on 9 May 1956
England’s first match against Brazil was a thrilling 4-2 encounter in front of 100,000 fans at Wembley. Left-winger Colin Grainger scored twice on his debut while Tommy Taylor also bagged a brace. The score could have been even more emphatic as both John Atyeo and Roger Byrne missed penalties.

BRAZIL 1 ENGLAND 0 on 7 June 1970
World champions England played Brazil in the group stages at the 1970 World Cup Finals in Mexico and the match featured not one but two iconic moments: Gordon Banks’ stunning save from Pele’s downward header and Bobby Moore’s perfectly timed sliding tackle as Pele raced into the penalty box. Pele eventually had the last laugh after playing in Jairzinho to rifle home on the hour.

BRAZIL 0 ENGLAND 2 on 10 June 1984
The 1984 clash at Rio’s Maracana Stadium was the thirteenth time the countries had met but it proved lucky for England. John Barnes opened the scoring just before half-time after a spectacular solo dribble and Mark Hateley sealed a famous win with a second half header.

ENGLAND 1 BRAZIL 0 on 28 March 1990
England’s third win against Brazil was a confidence-boosting win in a World Cup warm-up. England scored on 37 minutes, Gary Lineker stooping to head past Taffarel. England hung on for a controversial victory after the referee missed Stuart Pearce handling Muller’s shot on the line.

BRAZIL 2 ENGLAND 1 on 21 June 2002
England’s 2002 World Cup adventure ended at the quarter-final stage on a hot Friday afternoon in Shizuoka, Japan. England took the lead on 23 minutes, Michael Owen calmly chipping over the ‘keeper but couldn’t quite hold the lead until half-time, Rivaldo shooting into the far corner in added time. Five minutes into the second half Ronaldinho’s long free kick freakishly beat David Seaman.

ENGLAND 1 BRAZIL 1 on 1 June 2007
After a seven-year break England were finally back at Wembley. An 88,000 crowd saw Ronaldinho, Kaka and Robinho stretch Steve McClaren’s England. Skipper John Terry became the first England scorer at the new stadium, heading in from David Beckham’s far-post cross. However England couldn’t claim a famous win as Diego steered home a header in the final minute of added time.