The defence, which has previously conceded just one goal in the opening four games, has not altered since the start of the tournament.

David Seaman was again in goal, with his Arsenal team-mates Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole ahead of him along with Leeds duo Rio Ferdinand and Danny Mills.

Mills was the one England player for whom another caution would mean suspension from any semi-final against Senegal or Turkey as he was booked in the second round win against Denmark.

The England defence, which shares the best record in the tournament so far with Germany, were up against the best attack, with Ronaldo and Rivaldo sharing nine goals between them.

Eriksson was looking for Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes to provide cover in front of the back four, especially given the amount of possession Brazil were likely to enjoy.

Trevor Sinclair was, meanwhile, kept on the left flank, with David Beckham on the right, and both midfielders were asked not to push too far forward so they could keep on eye on marauding full-backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos.

Up front, Eriksson was looking for Owen, who came through a fitness test yesterday, to provide the cutting edge alongside Emile Heskey.

‘‘Michael will start the game and did a very good training session. Of course that’s good news for us,’’ said the England coach last night.

‘‘This is a game for Michael Owen. Of course for the others as well, but I think Michael is waiting for these big games. You have always seen that in his life.’’

England’s worst fears were realised when blue skies and soaring temperatures greeted them for their World Cup quarter-final with Brazil.

Sven-Goran Eriksson had joked that he would do a rain dance if it meant the heavens opening for the game which kicked off at 3.30pm local time.

But his prayers were answered 24 hours too soon with the torrential rain which had fallen throughout Thursday having disappeared completely.

It meant that England would have to contend with a repeat of the conditions during their second phase match with Nigeria in Osaka when the players admitted afterwards that the heat had taken its toll.

But the mood in the England camp was still optimistic as they attempted to register their first ever World Cup victory over the Brazilians at the fourth attempt.

Eriksson was calling for his players to stay calm and relaxed as he demanded a repeat of the performance in which England defeated Argentina 1-0.

There were no surprises in the England line-up which was the same as the one that triumphed 3-0 over Denmark in the second phase.

Michael Owen had recovered from a groin injury suffered after just two minutes in Niigata although it remained to be seen whether he was fully fit.

His pace was set to be a key weapon in unsettling the Brazilians who showed in their 2-0 win over Belgium that their defence could be their Achilles heel.

England had kept three successive clean sheets but were aware that they would have to be on their guard to stifle the threat of Ronaldo and Rivaldo who have scored nine goals between in the tournament already.

England: Seaman, Mills, Campbell, Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Beckham, Scholes, Butt, Sinclair, Owen, Heskey.

Subs: Bridge, Brown, Joe Cole, Dyer, Fowler, Hargreaves, James, Keown, Martyn, Sheringham, Southgate, Vassell

Brazil: Marcos, Roque Junior, Lucio, Edmilson, Cafu, Gilberto, Ronaldinho, Kleberson, Carlos, Ronaldo, Rivaldo

Subs: Belleti, Ceni, Denilson, Dida, Edilson, Juninho Paulista, Junior, Kaka, Luizao, Polga, Ricardinho, Vampeta.

Referee: F Ramos Rizo (Mexico)