PARIS, June 11: Exactly A year before they start the defence of the World Cup, Brazil erased any doubts about their quality with an assured 1-0 win over England in the Tournoi de France yesterday.

Despite the narrow scoreline in the match at Parc des Princes, Brazil outplayed England in midfield and attack.

England defended resolutely and battled for every ball but the demands of a long, hard season appeared to have finally caught up with them.

Once Romario scored after 61 minutes, it was hard to see England equalising. For them it was just one match too many, though they ended a hot sultry night in the French capital on a high, if bitter-sweet, note.

Wins over Italy and France guaranteed them first place in the Tournoi and Shearer became the first England captain after a long time to hold aloft an international trophy. Brazil, who drew with France and Italy in their first two matches, finished second, leaving Italy and France, who meet in the final match today, to try and avoid being last.

Brazil's superiroity on the night was best illustrated by their 15 corners to England's two seven of them in the first six minutes.

It was only England's all-round improvement under coach Glenn Hoddle that allowed them to stay as long as they did.

The breakthrough finally came when Leonardo, having a superb match on the ground where he plays with Paris St Germain, provided a perfectly-weighted through ball for Romario wide on the left of the England penalty area.He eluded a despairing lunge from Gareth Southgate to strike with the outside of his right foot. The ball bouncing into the net off David Seaman's far post.

It was the first goal England had conceded away from home in eight matches dating back to November 1993. And proved enough to end a run of six successive wins.

It also sent them to only their second defeat in 10 matches since Hoddle became coach after Euro '96. The only other side to beat England since then were Italy the beaten finalists in the 1994 World Cup final.

Despite the huge buildup, both Shearer, currently the world's most expensive player at $ 24 million, and Ronaldo, tipped to shortly succeed him when his $ 80 million transfer from Barcelona to Inter Milan is finally completed, had quiet games, without a goal attempt worthy of the name between them.The most notable moment for both was a strange incident just before halftime when Shearer clattered into Ronaldo who retaliated by stabbing his foot at him. Both were booked.

Ronaldo's impact was nullified by an outstanding display from 22-year-old England defender Sol Campbell who made three absolutely vital blocking tackles to stop Ronaldo in his tracks.

At the other end Shearer was closely watched by Aldair who hardly allowed him a kick to made amends for his poor display against Italy in Lyon on Sunday.

While Brazil's yellow shirts ebbed and flowed over the field, Paul Ince and Paul Gascoigne never stopped trying to force England forward. Ince went closest to scoring for his side with a rasping shot from the edge of the box which Taffarel did well to save in the first half while Gasoigne also went close with a free-kick.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.