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With Euro Qualifiers and International tournaments on the rise, a slew of International Friendlies have also come into focus–the brightest of course being played yesterday, England vs. Brazil.

In anticipation of this game (based solely on names), even with the recall of David Beckham, Brazil was fancied to deconstruct an England side, floundering in Euro Qualifiers, in the 1st game in the renovated, famous Wembley Stadium. Just going by names, however, in soccer takes you no where, and if you haven’t noticed lately Brazil stopped being Brazil last year.

To add to Dunga’s embarrassment, David Beckham was not the only new face in Steve McClaren’s side–Michael Owen and Alan Smith made it in after long-time injury lay-offs while obscure Reading defender, Nicky Shorey, made a full debut against the Samba men.

Brazil it seems, however, were in no mood to dance and looked as sluggish, and uncreative as England at times, in a less then enthralling match. With both teams cancelling each other out, Becks finally hit one of his signature pin-point crosses (from a free-kick), to the back post in the 68th min., for captain John Terry to head home. Beckham was able to cap a solid performance (not by any means outstanding) with the assist to emphasize his quality and England’s need for it.

With Brazil not playing well, and then with the prospect of losing, Dunga’s face matched his tight red shirt, and I thought I made him out giving in his resignation, as he forgot for just one moment to cup his mouth mic in his disappointment. Even Diego’s last minute leveller was not enough to restore Brazilian pride.

Well, savages, it looks like I am on the wrong side of this one after the 1st leg action of the Copa Libertadores and will need nothing short of some miracles to keep pace with my predictions.

The fact that Gremio takes a 2 goal lead into Santos is not as bad as Boca returning home with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Cucuta, and though it all may seem a little dour now, I haven’t lost faith just yet.

While it seems Santos was not prepared for the first outing, you would never put it past a Brazilian team to mirror the first score and take the tie into penalties. Having said that though, if Gremio scores an away goal, then it looks like the blue-and-blacks will be in the final.

Boca, on the other hand, have much more to worry about. Even though they have the all important away goal, the fact they gave up 3 unanswered goals shows they have become a little sloppy and didn’t take the Colombian side seriously.

Now Cucuta has the opportunity to become the Once Caldas of a few years ago (another Colombian side that had a shock win back in 2004) with a positive result in Argentina. Even if Cucuta defeats Boca, I do believe their giant killing ways will fall short in the final.

Otherwise, I am still on for my initial predictions, calling a total turn around for both Santos and Boca.