Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men were hit by a Ronaldinho-inspired double strike in seven minutes either side of the interval and, though the Brazilian’s day was ruined when he was harshly red carded for a stamp on Danny Mills, England couldn’t find a vital second.

It was Eriksson’s first defeat in a competitive international and maintained Brazil’s unbeaten record in four World Cup meetings.

Yet it all looked so different after 23 minutes when Michael Owen put England in front after a double defensive blunder he could scarcely believe.

There appeared little danger when Emile Heskey picked up Mills’ short pass on halfway. The Liverpool front-man spotted his Anfield team-mate making a run towards the Brazilian goal, but Lucio appeared to have the situation under control.

However, the defender who was so impressive on Bayer Leverkusen’s run to the Champions League final, mis-controlled straight into Owen’s path.

Advancing into the box on his own, Owen would probably have scored anyway but Marcos gifted him an open goal by diving to his right before the striker had even lined up his shot.

For the remainder of the half, England looked comfortable, but David Beckham’s failure to run the ball into touch two minutes into injury time, set Brazil in motion for the equaliser.

Paul Scholes failed to make a vital tackle in midfield, allowing Ronaldinho to sweep forward.

Ashley Cole was dragged into the middle and with neither Rio Ferdinand or Sol Campbell able to make a tackle, Rivaldo drifted to the right, took the easy pass and stroked a first-time shot into the corner.

Still reeling from that blow, England quickly conceded a second after the interval - and this time the damage was self-inflicted.

As Ronaldinho lined up a free-kick in an innocuous position, Seaman pulled away from his line expecting a cross. The Brazilian spotted the opening and from 35 yards floated the ball into the top corner with the aid of the crossbar.

It was a blow from which England couldn’t recover, even though their opponents were reduced to 10 men just 11 minutes after the break when Mexican referee Felipe Ramos Rizo ruled Ronaldinho had stamped on Mills, even though replays showed the player had pulled out of the challenge.

Eriksson threw on Darius Vassell and Teddy Sheringham late on in a desperate search for an equaliser. But there was to be no redemption as Brazil maintained their stranglehold on contests between the two nations, advancing to a semi-final meeting with either Senegal or Turkey.

Had England been able to hold on to their lead, it would have been just reward for an almost perfectly-executed first-half plan.

Though Brazil dominated for long periods, they were denied space around the English box, Ronaldo being forced to drop deep to gain possession.

Ronaldinho looked the most lively South American, but with Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand again proving a solid barrier, England’s goal remained largely untroubled.

Scholes and Nicky Butt snapped away with the usual gusto and with Heskey producing by far his best international performance, Brazil were largely ineffective.

Lucio conceded a corner inside the first 20 seconds as Ashley Cole darted down the left flank. Marcos punched easily away.

It took England 23 minutes to threaten their opponents’ goal again, but when they did Owen put England in front with his 18th international strike.

Skipper David Beckham, who required treatment for a blow to his right ankle, flashed a shot over the bar as he led the search for a potentially match-winning second.

Brazil regrouped though and continued their forward offensive, this time with slightly more threat.

Ronaldo produced a good save from Seaman at his near post before Campbell blocked Kleberson’s powerful 25-yard effort.

Danny Mills, again performing beyond expectations, needed to react quickly to rob Ronaldo inside the six-yard area after the Brazilian hit-man had gathered a fortunate rebound within striking range.

Seaman was another who needed medical attention when he fell awkwardly collecting a high ball, tipping over Campbell and landing on his side.

The Arsenal keeper might still have been feeling the after-effects of the knock when he tried to stop Rivaldo’s curling effort pulling Brazil level, but even at full stretch he had no chance.

Most England fans were relieved when Seaman was fit enough to resume after the interval, but within five minutes they were reflecting on an error equally as crass as those made by the suspect Brazilian rearguard.

For the first time in the competition, England were behind and chasing the game against opponents lethal on the counter.

Lucio cut out Heskey’s cross at the near post and Ferdinand was unable to steer a header from Beckham’s free-kick on target before Cole fired a shot into the area which Brazil were able to scramble away.

Dyer was thrown on for Trevor Sinclair as Eriksson faced the biggest test of his England coaching career.

The Swede has often been thought of as a ‘lucky’ manager, and fate was to smile on him as Rizo controversially dismissed Ronaldinho.

Beckham went down in the box under pressure from Roque Junior and beat the ground in frustration as Rizo waved away the penalty appeal.

England continued to press but Brazil never looked like yielding their advantage and long before the end, Beckham and co had run out of ideas.