England's brave World Cup bid ended amid high drama in scorching Shizuoka today, despite giving Brazil the fright of their lives.

The South Americans were wobbling when Michael Owen fired Sven-Goran Eriksson's men into a 23rd minute lead.

Rivaldo replied in first half stoppage time after a lightning counter raid led by Ronaldinho Gaucho.

Ronaldinho hit the winner from a long range free-kick five minutes after the interval but was then sent-off for a dangerous challenge on Danny Mills.

England's worst fears were realised when blue skies and soaring temperatures greeted them for the big match.

Eriksson had joked that he would do a rain dance if it meant the heavens opening for the game which kicked off at 3.30pm local time.

They kicked off in a pitch-side temperature of 86 degrees while the humidity level was 46 per cent.

England made a positive start and forced a corner through Ashley Cole inside the first 15 seconds after he had latched onto a pass from Paul Scholes. David Beckham took the inswinging corner which was punched out for a throw-in by Marcos.

Owen was then fouled on the touchline by Roque Junior and Beckham's free-kick picked out Emile Heskey who got in a downward header but it was comfortably dealt with by Marcos.

Rivaldo threatened the England goal for the first time in the seventh minute when he picked the ball up in midfield and tried his luck from 30 yards out but his shot lacked accuracy and David Seaman was able to watch it drift well wide.

Roberto Carlos was getting forward in trademark fashion and on one occasion he was robbed by Beckham who then found Heskey in space on the opposite flank but the Liverpool man's control let him down and Cafu was able to intercept.

A long throw from Carlos almost picked out Rivaldo after he had made a run into the penalty area between two defenders, but Seaman was able to collect.

Scholes was looking to get forward as often as possible and one pass from Nicky Butt gave him time to line up a shot from 25 yards out but the effort was blocked by Lucio.

The Brazilians then forced two corners in a row and from the second of them - by Ronaldinho - a flick on by Silva at the near post flew across the face of goal. Then Ronaldo made a run into the penalty area but Sol Campbell was alert to the situation and kept him at bay.

Ronaldo, who looked threatening, played a lovely one-two with Rivaldo before shooting from the edge of the area, but Seaman saved comfortably.

Then, on 23 minutes, came the goal England had been dreaming of.

Heskey played a diagonal ball forward which Lucio failed to control and Owen seized the opportunity, speeding forward before chipping the ball over Marcos from nine yards.

Beckham was down for a few moments with a foot injury. He returned to blast a volley over the bar from 20 yards.

Heskey then won a header inside the area. Marcos was off his line and relieved to see the ball go just inches over the crossbar.

It was an encouraging start by Heskey, who turned Roque Junior on 39 minutes and crossed from the by-line. Marcos was alert to make a decent save.

Heskey was off the pitch for a few moments clutching his knee but came back on after receiving treatment.

Seaman had to jump over Campbell and Rivaldo to make a commanding catch on 42 minutes. Worryingly for England, he fell awkwardly and went down injured, needing three minutes of treatment.

Cafu was lucky to escape a caution after a late challenge on Cole going into stoppage time.

England looked comfortable but suffered the sickening blow of an equaliser two minutes into added time.

It was a brilliant counter-attack by Brazil.

Ronaldinho beat two England players and advanced to the edge of the area before slipping the ball to Rivaldo, who slotted the ball left footed past Seaman.

It got worse for England, and their goalkeeper, five minutes into the second half as Brazil took the lead.

Brazil won a free-kick 40 yards out after a challenge by Scholes on Kleberson.

Ronaldinho looked set to cross when he lined up the free-kick away on the right.

Instead his 35-yard effort was struck towards the far top corner, where it drifted over Seaman and into the net.

England brought on Kieron Dyer in place of Sinclair six minutes later.

Then Ronaldinho suddenly became the villain as his dangerous lunge at Mills earned him a red card.

England were striving to get back on level terms but were always vulnerable to Brazilian counter thrusts.

Ronaldo was next to depart for Brazil, being replaced by Edilson.

Beckham had a shout for a penalty after claiming he was pushed but his appeals were waved away.

Mills was next to get forward but his effort was deflected just over the bar and, when the corner came in, the referee spotted pushing by Campbell as he went up for the header.

Generally however Brazil looked pretty comfortable and Eriksson looked to refresh things for the last 13 minutes as Darius Vassell came on in place of Owen.

Teddy Sheringham also joined the fray, replacing defender Cole.

Scholes was booked for a foul on Rivaldo as time ticked away from England.

There was fresh hope on 90 minutes as England won a corner.

Beckham took it but his flag kick was headed over the bar by Butt.

Ferdinand stormed forward to join the attack as play moved into stoppage time.

The ball was worked wide to Sheringham on the left but his curler drifted disappointingly wide of Marcos's far post.

Despite England's valiant efforts, there was no way back as Brazil booked a semi-final spot with Turkey or Senegal and began to eye a possible fifth World Cup triumph.