(CNN) -- Luiz Felipe Scolari's mission to lead Brazil to World Cup glory on home soil suffered an inauspicious start as his team suffered its first defeat by England for 23 years.
Scolari, who replaced Mano Menezes at the helm in November for a second spell in charge, looked on from the touchline as goals from Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard gave England a 2-1 victory Wednesday.
Ronaldinho's return to the team after a one year absence ended in disappointment after his penalty was saved by England goalkeeper Joe Hart.
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The 32-year-old lasted just 45 minutes, but former Chelsea manager Scolari says the playmaker will be given another chance to prove his worth following an unimpressive showing.
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David Beckham waves after his team Paris St. Germain played Brest in his final home match in Paris on Saturday, May 18. Beckham signed on with the team just a few months ago, and now he is retiring. Click through for a look back at Beckham through the years.
David Beckham through the years
"He has played 90 minutes for the first time this year last week, so it's to be expected that he is not fully in the conditions that he wants," Scolari told reporters.
"It was established that Neymar would take the penalties but he was changing his shin pad, or something like that.
"Ronaldinho took the ball and nobody is going to ask a player of that experience and with that caliber to back down and let somebody else take it."
England had taken the lead just minutes after Ronaldinho's failure from the spot when Rooney lashed home following good work from Theo Walcott.
Brazil drew level after the interval when a mistake by Chelsea's Gary Cahill allowed substitute Fred to rifle home an equalizer from just inside the penalty area.
But Lampard, who came on at half-time, fired home the winner when his effort flew off Julio Cesar's post and into the net.
England manager Roy Hodgson told BBC radio: "It's my first crack at Brazil as a manager and I'm delighted to have been able to oversee a victory.
"It was an all-round performance from the team, there were some very, very good moments and I thought we were good value for two goals to one."
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Elsewhere, World and European champions Spain extended its unbeaten run to 17 games with a 3-1 win over Uruguay in Qatar.
Barcelona's Pedro Rodriguez scored twice and Cesc Fabregas was also on target for Spain with Cristian Rodgriuez netting for Uruguay.
The contest also saw Barcelona's Carles Puyol captain the side on the occasion his 100th international appearance.
U.S. star Jozy Altidore was subjected to racial abuse during AZ Alkmaar's cup win at Den Bosch in the Netherlands. The match was halted and the crowd were asked to stop the abusive chanting before the action resumed.
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"Pedro is a dynamic player," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque told reporters.
"He knows exactly what he has to do and he has the touch of speed needed in modern football.
"We had periods of good football in the first-half but we lacked a bit of directness and Pedro provided this with his speed."
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Italy needed a last gasp strike from Marco Verratti to secure a 1-1 draw in Holland.
The home side looked set for victory thanks to Jeremain Lens' 33rd minute strike, but Italy hit back to salvage a draw.
Germany came from behind to defeat France 2-1 in Paris thanks to goals from Thomas Muller and Sami Khedira.
It was the first time since 1987 that the Germans have beaten France, which had taken a first half lead through Mathieu Valbuena.
"We played some good stuff going forward, but were punished for our mistakes, especially at their equalizer," France coach Didier Deschamps told reporters.
"We kept pushing right to the end, but unfortunately it wasn't to be."
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Cristiano Ronaldo was on target for Portugal, but the Real Madrid star couldn't prevent his side from losing 3-2 at home to Ecuador.
Portugal had led 2-1 after Ronaldo and Helder Postiga had overturned Antonio Valencia's second minute strike.
But an own-goal from Joao Pereira and a Felipe Caicedo effort sealed a surprise win for the South Americans.
Leo Messi failed to score as Argentina claimed a 3-2 win over Sweden in Stockholm.
An own-goal by Mikael Lustig gave Argentina the lead before Jonas Olsson equalized in the 18th minute.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero restored his side's lead 60 seconds later with Gonazlo Higuain adding a third soon after.
Rasmus Elm's 90th minute strike proved a mere consolation for the home side.
Elsewhere, Belgium defeated Slovakia 2-1, Russia won 2-0 in Iceland, Croatia defeated South Korea 4-0 and Romania overcame Australia 3-2.
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Gascoigne's tears made headlines as England exited the 1990 World Cup to Germany in the semifinals.
Paul Gascoigne was feted by Lazio fans when he returned to the Italian club for a fixture against another former club Tottenham last year.
Gascoigne goes airborne after scoring a stunning goal in Tottenham's 1991 FA Cup semifinal win over Arsenal
Paul Gascoigne wipes away a tear at the funeral of his former England boss Bobby Robson. Gary Lineker is on his left.
Gascoigne's celebrations after a famous goal against Scotland in Euro 96 mimicked an earlier infamous drinking incident.
Gascoigne enjoyed league and cup success with Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premier League.
Gascoigne gestures as he watches a match between his former sides Newcastle and Tottenham at St James' Park.
Beckham poses with Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, left, and PSG sports director Leonardo during a press conference announcing his new gig in January 2013.
Beckham makes his England debut at a World Cup Europe Qualifying Round Group 2 match against Moldova in 1996.
Beckham celebrates his goal in the 1998 World Cup Finals versus Colombia in 1998.
Becks as a member of Manchester United cools down during the FA Charity Shield match against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium in London in 1998.
At the 1998 World Cup in France, in a second-round match against Argentina, Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone. England lost the match on penalties and was eliminated, with Beckham becoming a hate figure for some fans.
Beckham poses after a press conference in Awaji-shima Island, Japan, in 2002.
Beckham poses with Beyonce, left, and Jennifer Lopez during a presentation of the new Pepsi "Samourai" in Madrid in 2004.
Becks waves after a la Liga match between Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna in Madrid in 2007.
The midfielder celebrates with his sons in 2007 after Real Madrid won the Spanish League title by beating Mallorca.
Beckham makes an appearance to promote his fragrance "David Beckham Intimately Night" in Sydney in 2007.
Beckham reveals his new No. 32 Adidas jersey as part of an announcement of the start of his loan move to AC Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2008.
Beckham controls the ball during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier of European Group 6.
Beckham unveils the new Emporio Armani underwear ad campaign for the fall/winter of 2009-2010.
Beckham, No. 23 of the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team, walks toward the line judge to have a chat during Game 1 of the MLS Western Conference Semifinals against Chivas USA in 2009.
Becks arrives at Sydney International Airport in 2010.
David and Victoria Beckham arrive at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in 2011.
The Beckhams attend the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in West Hollywood, California, in 2012.
Beckham celebrated his second MLS Cup success with the Los Angeles Galaxy in December 2012, when he decided to leave with a year left on his contract as he sought one final career challenge in Europe.
Beckham passes under Tower Bridge in a speedboat which carries the Olympic Torch and its torchbearer in 2012.
Beckham acts as England's captain during the 2004 European Nations Championship football match against Croatia in Lisbon, Portugal.
AC Milan's Kevin Prince-Boateng walked off the pitch after being racially abused during his side's friendly game with Pro Patria earlier this month. The midfielder was praised for his actions by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
Serbia was ordered to play one under-21 match behind closed doors and was fined $105,000 by European football's governing body UEFA for racial abuse in a match with England. UEFA president has appealed the verdict of his organization in the hope of seeing stiffer punishments administered.
Chelsea and England captain John Terry was charged by UK police after allegedly making racist remarks to Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in October 2011. Terry was cleared of the charges in a London court in July 2012.
Liverpool's Luis Suarez was banned and fined by the English Football Association after Manchester United's Patrice Evra claimed the Uruguayan racially insulted him during a match, also in October 2011. Suarez flatly denies Evra's claims.
Brazilian World Cup winner Roberto Carlos walked off the pitch while playing for Russian team Anzhi Makhachkala against Krylya Sovetov in June the same year, after having a banana thrown towards him in the closing stages of the match.
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