David Beckham today hailed John Terry as the strongest character in football after the Chelsea defender scored the goal that helped England beat the USA.

Terry, captain for the night, headed home Beckham's 38th-minute free-kick to open the scoring in England's 2-0 victory last night - one week after missing the shoot-out penalty that cost the Blues victory in the Champions League Final in Moscow.

While Beckham admits Terry's display at Wembley will not banish the misery he suffered in Russia, the Los Angeles Galaxy star claims Terry now has the same influence that Stuart Pearce, now assistant coach, had in the 1990s.

Beckham, who himself missed vital penalties for England in Euro 2004 against France and Portugal, said: "A lot has been made this week of the disappointment he is going through and you can see the hurt in him still. It will be there for a while.

"But he is a character and he will get over it. He is one of the strongest I have ever come across in football.

"You could see the emotion going through him, in his eyes. Once he scored that goal and he was celebrating, you could see a slight relief.

"You see that passion sometimes. You saw it in Stuart Pearce's face when he scored that penalty [in Euro 96 after missing one in the 1990 World Cup] and you saw it in JT's face.

"I put the ball in the right area and it was written for JT to get on the end of it. As a team we were all pleased and proud of him. He's got a lot of support within the team, outside of the team and at his club. To be captain and score a goal at Wembley means a lot to JT and no one can ever question his passion and dedication when he puts an England or Chelsea shirt on. That's what we look at."

Beckham, who was handed a commemorative golden cap by Sir Bobby Charlton prior to kick-off to mark passing his century of appearances in the last match against France, refused to be drawn on who should take the skipper's role permanently.

Terry became the third different player to assume the responsibility under Fabio Capello and Pearce after Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand, with Gareth Barry set to lead the team against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.

He added: "Every one of those players is a strong character and passionate about their country and when you see them play, everyone can see how much it means to them. If you show that kind of passion then you have got every chance of being a great captain."

Gerrard also paid tribute to Terry's character. "I am so pleased for John," he said. "He is a top guy off the pitch and also a great player on it."

Of those players who were in Moscow for the Champions League Final, only Ferdinand and Wayne Bridge will travel to Port of Spain for Sunday's friendly.