Nilmar headed Brazil to a 1-0 victory over England on Saturday in an international friendly between two of the favorites for next year's World Cup.
The forward ran between two England defenders to head home a long-range pass from Elano for the only goal of the game in the 47th minute played in neutral Doha.
England, hit by injuries to most of their regular starters, did not look threatening against Brazil in the Khalifa Stadium, packed with 50,000 spectators.
"I think we did not start well after the first half. Though, we did not play so bad," said England manager Fabio Capello "We created some chances. But after they scored a goal we lost possession. Brazil always defend well. It is not easy to find spaces."
England's understudies had a chance to impress in the team's penultimate friendly before next year's World Cup, but only Aston Villa's James Milner really pushed his case.
England had only one shot on target to Brazil's four.
The margin of victory could have been more for the world's top-ranked team. They missed a penalty and captain Lucio struck the post with a shot from just outside the box in the 77th minute.
"I learnt a lot today," Capello said. "Brazil is a really good and strong team in the world. They are good technically and fast.... They are physically strong."
"I am happy that I checked the value of a few players for the future before I decide the last 23 for South Africa," the Italian added.
When asked to comment on Rooney's performance _ England's stand-in captain in the absence of the injured John Terry _ Capello said: "I don't like to speak about a single performance. I speak about the team. Rooney is always important for us."
Eight minutes after Nilmar had given the five-time world champion the lead, Foster was booked by Qatari referee Abdulrahman Abdou for bringing the striker down after Wes Brown had attempted to chest the ball back to his Manchester United teammate. But Luis Fabiano then blazed the resultant penalty over the bar.
Porto striker Hulk was handed his first Brazilian cap when he came off the bench in place of Fabiano in the 67th minute.
Darren Bent, partnering Rooney ahead of Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe, was starved of service and did little to impress and was replaced in the 54th minute by Defoe.
Crouch replaced Shaun Wright-Phillips with nine minutes to play as England searched for an equalizer.
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Line-ups
England: Ben Foster, Wayne Bridge, Wes Brown, Joleon Lescott, Matthew Upson, Gareth Barry (Tom Huddlestone 81), Jermaine Jenas, James Milner (Ashley Young 87), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Peter Crouch 81), Darren Bent (Jermain Defoe 54), Wayne Rooney.
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Thiago Silva, Felipe Melo, Michel Bastos, Gilberto Silva, Elano (Daniel Alves 64), Kaka (Julio Baptista 80), Luis Fabiano (Hulk 67), Nilmar (Carlos Eduardo 80).
