10 June 1984 - Barnes Blows By Brazil

On 10 June 1984, England got a rare victory over Brazil thanks in part to a memorable strike from winger John Barnes.

The two teams had played twelve times previously. England won the first game, a 4-2 victory in 1956, but proceeded to lose seven and draw four of the next eleven. So expectations were not high when manager Bobby Robson took his team down to Rio de Janeiro for a friendly.

The Maracaña was only about a quarter full for the match, but those in attendance were rewarded with one of the English national team's most celebrated goals. In the 44th minute, Barnes received the ball deep in the midfield, sprinted his way through five defenders with a weaving run, then side-footed the ball past the keeper from just outside the eight-yard box.

The match ended 0-2 after Mark Hateley doubled the lead in the 64th minute, but it is remembered primarily for Barnes' goal. It was Brazil's first defeat in the Maracaña in twenty years and remains England's only victory there.