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Past meetings

Image: Ronaldinho's free-kick drops into the England net at the 2002 World Cup

Sky Sports picks out five previous encounters between Brazil and England ahead of Sunday's match.

England will be looking to finish the season with a flourish when they face Brazil for the 25th time on Sunday at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. There have been some classic encounters between the two nations. Here, Sky Sports looks at five of the most memorable.

May 9, 1956: England 4-2 Brazil

One hundred thousand fans were given a treat at Wembley as the two sides served up a six-goal thriller in the first ever meeting. Tommy Taylor and Colin Grainger put England ahead after just five minutes, but the Brazilians stormed back with Paulinho and Didi drawing them level after 10 minutes of the second half. John Atyeo then missed from the spot, but made amends soon after, setting up Taylor to regain England's lead. Roger Bryne then missed the hosts' second penalty although the victory was sealed when Grainger claimed his second, capping a perfect debut, and sealing the win.

June 7, 1970: England 0-1 Brazil

In a game remembered for one of the greatest ever saves, the World Cup holders were defeated by their eventual successors in Guadalajara, Mexico. The pair's hotly anticipated group game at the Mexico World Cup was brought to life when Pele's downward header looked certain to find the net, until Gordon Banks remarkably clawed it away to safety. The striker later said: "It was the greatest save I have ever seen." While England had kept Pele quiet, they could do nothing about Jairzinho, who blasted home the only goal in the 59th minute after good build-up play from Tostao and Pele.

10 June, 1984: Brazil 0-2 England

John Barnes scored one of the greatest England goals ever as he helped his side record a first win in Brazil. The then Watford star picked up the ball on the corner of the Brazilian penalty area at the Maracana, ghosted past a host of challenges, including the goalkeeper, and passed the ball into the net. After the break Mark Hateley headed home the visitors' second as England ever so slightly softened the blow of not qualifying for Euro '84.

21 June, 2002: England 1-2 Brazil

Ronaldinho's ambitious free-kick eliminated Sven Goran Eriksson's England from the 2002 World Cup at the quarter-final stage in Japan. The nation set their alarm clocks early and were rewarded when Michael Owen capitalised on some dubious Brazilian defending and put his side ahead after 23 minutes. However, Rivaldo slotted home an equaliser on the stroke of half-time before Ronaldinho's cross-cum-shot sailed over David Seamen's head to break England hearts.

June 1, 2007: England 1-1 Brazil

The first game at the new Wembley after a seven-year exile saw England denied victory by a late equaliser. David Beckham's free-kick was met by John Terry for the country's first goal under the arch. However, Diego headed home a late leveller for Brazil to ensure the friendly ended all square on Wembley's big night.

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