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Dad misses Oxlade-Chamberlain goal after falling asleep

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was delighted to score against Brazil © PA Photos

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Mark Chamberlain missed his son Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's goal at the Maracana after falling asleep in front of his television, the former England international has admitted.

Oxlade-Chamberlain came on and equalised for England with a marvellous first-time volley on Sunday evening, as the Three Lions claimed a 2-2 draw with Brazil.

Twenty-nine years ago Mark Chamberlain was in the England side that famously beat Brazil at the Maracana - still the last European country to achieve such a feat - but he missed his son's goal this time around, after admitting an early start to his day had got the better of him.

"I was dropping his mother off at the airport this morning at 6am, and unfortunately I fell asleep," Chamberlain admitted to the BBC.

"It was on tape so I'll watch it in a minute. I realised when his agent rang me up.

"I was watching the game, it was a bit negative in the first half but England were more positive in the second half and Alex played well in the hole behind the strikers. He plays wide right, but that's his third best position; midfield or playing behind the striker is his best position."

Earlier this week, the ex-Stoke City and Portsmouth player revealed he also missed out on making some money off his son's obvious talent, when the Arsenal attacker was still just a young boy.

"We always had an idea he would be a good player," Chamberlain told the Daily Mail. "I ran an academy and a few of the other dads who had sons there said he's going to play for England. They actually went to the bookies when he was six to see what price we could get on him playing for England before he was 21.

"They asked me if I wanted in, but I didn't want to jinx it. I didn't even ask what the odds were. But I think they would have been quite good. They made a few quid."

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