Michael Owen produced his most compelling international display for two years as England stepped up their preparations for Euro 2000 with a 1-1 draw against Brazil.

The boy, who became an overnight international sensation with his stunning World Cup goal against Argentina two years ago, is back.

The 20-year-old Liverpool striker was named man of the match after stylishly firing England ahead after 39 minutes at Wembley. Only a spectacular diving save from Dida denied him a second-half winner.

Coach Kevin Keegan said: 'I have never had any doubts about Michael. His goal, his work-rate and his link-up play were excellent. He fully deserved to be man of the match.'

Owen's status as England's first-choice striker alongside skipper Alan Shearer has become a major issue because his career has been blighted by persistent hamstring injuries.

Anfield manager Gerard Houllier recently voiced his fear that Owen's confidence had been undermined by his fitness problems.

But the old chirpiness was back after Saturday's clash. Owen said: 'Brazil were scared of us. The game went dead in the second half because they were happy with the draw.

'To score against Brazil, the best team in the world, is brilliant. I haven't scored so many goals for England because I haven't had the chance to get hat-tricks against the likes of San Marino.'

Keegan added: 'There were a lot of plusses, although I'm not going over-board about the performance. We played really well in the first half, got the goal that I think we deserved but conceded a very poor goal in the last seconds of the first half.

'Psychologically it was a bad time. I don't think we quite got back on to the same wavelength in the second half but I think we created more chances than they did, even though they had more possession.

'Now we must step up on that against Ukraine on Wednesday. There will be changes because that is what it is all about. I need to look at as many people as possible.'