MX23RW : Wednesday, September 1 09:04:00| >> :60:2665:2665:

On This Day: David Seaman error proves costly at World Cup

On This Day: David Seaman error proves costly at World Cup
© Reuters
David Seaman misjudged a 30-yard free-kick from which Ronaldinho scored Brazil's 50th-minute winner.

Brazil beat England 2-1 in Shizuoka to progress to the World Cup semi-finals on this day in 2002.

David Seaman misjudged a 30-yard free-kick from which Ronaldinho scored Brazil's 50th-minute winner after Rivaldo cancelled out Michael Owen's early opener.

After the game England boss Sven Goran Eriksson insisted that Seaman should not be made the scapegoat in the same way that David Beckham unfairly took the blame four years earlier.

England v Brazil
Disconsolate England were knocked out at the quarter-final stage (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA)

"That would be very wrong. Absolutely not," said Eriksson. "If you should kill mentally every player who makes a mistake, you wouldn't have many players in the squad for the next time.

"I mean, it was a lucky goal for Ronaldinho. Whatever he says, I'm sure he wanted to cross the ball."

Owen had grabbed his second of the tournament to put England in front on 23 minutes after a double defensive blunder by the Brazilian rearguard.

England v Brazil – Seaman & Eriksson
David Seaman was beaten by Ronaldinho's 30-yard free-kick (Rui Vieira/PA)

But Brazil were level on the stroke of half-time when Ronaldinho swept forward and found Rivaldo on the right who stroked a first-time shot into the corner.

The game's crucial moment came early in the second half when Ronaldinho lined up a free-kick in an innocuous position, with Seaman pulling 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.

England v Brazil
Rio Ferdinand insisted Ronaldinho's winner was a fluke (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Defender Rio Ferdinand insisted: "It was a freak goal. I think he meant to cross it.

"I was in the drug testing area with him after the game and I asked him whether he meant it and he just started laughing. It wasn't the best way to go out but I don't think there is a good way."

Brazil were reduced to 10 men for the final 32 minutes as Ronaldinho was then harshly sent off for a studs-first tackle on Danny Mills.

ID:452145: cacheID:452145:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7210:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Germany's Kai Havertz celebrates scoring against Portugal at Euro 2020 on June 19, 2021
Read Next:
Euro 2020 Team of the Week - De Bruyne, Havertz, Bale
>

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Tottenham HotspurSpurs33003039
2West Ham UnitedWest Ham321010557
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd32107257
4Chelsea32106157
5Liverpool32106157
6Everton32107347
7Manchester CityMan City320110196
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton32014316
9Leicester CityLeicester320145-16
10Brentford31203125
11Aston Villa31115414
12Watford310235-23
13Southampton302146-22
14Crystal Palace302125-32
15Leeds UnitedLeeds302148-42
16Burnley301225-31
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle301248-41
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves300303-30
19Norwich CityNorwich3003110-90
20Arsenal300309-90
Olympic medal table header
CountryGold medalSilver MedalBronze MedalT
ChinaChina623832132
Great BritainGreat Britain29232880
Olympics flagParalympic Athletes from Russia25163374
United StatesUnited States24241563
UkraineUkraine15331967

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!