I'm sorry, says Seaman

A tearful David Seaman, whose positioning error led to Brazil's freekick winner, said today: "I'm sorry for the fans and I want to say sorry to all the people back home".

But David Beckham instantly pleaded with the public not to put the goalkeeper through the same scapegoat ordeal he endured after England's World Cup failure four years ago.

Seaman, the team's most experienced player, was "inconsolable" after his mistake allowed Brazil to overcome England's early lead, and repeatedly broke down in tears.

Beckham, who was infamously turned into a national hate figure after his sending-off against Argentina in 1998, said: "It would be an absolute disgrace if anyone made David Seaman a scapegoat. He has been the best goalkeeper in this tournament.

"It was a freak goal... as captain I'm proud not only of the team but of the whole squad."

Seaman, 38, was lost for words as he tried to explain his feelings. He wept openly and for long moments was unable to speak. "I'm absolutely gutted," he eventually managed to say.

Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Sven-Goran Eriksson promised that his England side would be back, stronger and better in four years. "We have to leave the tournament now but we go with our heads held up," said the Swede. "We did very well. We were close, but not close enough. But we will have more or less the same squad in four years time and we can do better then."

One player who almost certainly won't be back at that next World Cup in Germany, is the veteran Seaman. But, like Beckham, his team-mates were quick to defend the Arsenal keeper. Darius Vassell said: "We're really proud of David and no one holds anything against him."

Deputy keeper David James said: "David's not too happy at the moment - he was inconsolable after the game. But he had a good tournament he's justified his selection and he's experienced enough to get over this."

At the final whistle went, Beckham appeared to take defeat on broad shoulders. While the tearful Seaman was being comforted by coaching staff, Beckham swapped shirts with Brazilian full back Roberto Carlos - recreating the famous picture of Pele and Bobby Moore after these two sides met in 1970. He then led his team on a lap of honour, applauding the supporters for the rousing support they had had throughout their Far Eastern campaign that was ended by Brazil, despite England having led through a Michael Owen goal.

The Brazilians equalised through Rivaldo just before half-time. Shortly after the start of the second period, Ronaldinho put his team in front with a freekick before being sent off for a foul on Danny Mills minutes later. But there will still be pride at the enormous achievements of side that Eriksson has transformed in little over a year from downandout losers to among the best in the world.

There had been doubts about Owen's fitness. Today he put those fears to rest with a brilliant goal but it wasn't to be enough.

Beckham had warned before that his side needed to "play the team, not the legend". But they had never beaten Brazil in the World Cup before and now it is the Brazilians who will be odds-on favourites to win the tournament.

Watched by Prince Andrew, England started brightly, winning a corner in the opening seconds, and Beckham sprayed around his trademark freekicks and sweeping cross-field passes.

However, there were also danger signs from the four-times champions. The match, the latest in a long line of disappointing results stretching back to 1966, was watched at home by an estimated 25million breakfast time audience.

As well as having to fight the tournament's favourites, they also had to cope with conditions that favoured Brazil: roasting 30C (86F) heat and 47 per cent humidity.

England once again had the overwhelming backing of the 50,600 crowd inside the Shizuoka stadium.

All around the stadium were the familiar flags of this touring army of thousands of Englishmen and women abroad: Brentford, Tottenham, West Ham and Watford among them.

However, there were still thousands of yellow shirts, and several sections of Brazilian fans played non-stop samba music on dozens of drums and whistles throughout but here, at least, the Official England Supporters' Band matched them.