| Luís Fabiano grabs three vs Portugal
Brazil put an end to 19 years without a win against Portugal
after they thrashed the Europeans 6-2 in the estádio Bezerrão
in Brasília.
In a night of entertaining football, Seville’s Luís
Fabiano scored three; Inter Milan’s Maicon and Adriano,
and Manchester city’s Elano were also on target for Brazil.
Danny and Simão knocked in Portugal’s two goals.
The scoring started early as Portugal struck within 4 minutes
after Bosingwa’s low shot was turned in by a clever backheal
from Danny.
Brazil’s shaky central defence looked capable of cracking
at any moment as Dunga’s men struggled to cope with the
pace of Portugal.
But the South Americans equalized less than 4 minutes later.
Robinho broke down the left, bustled past Pepe and drilled a cross
in for Luís Fabiano who took the ball in his stride before
lashing it home. Brazil had gone almost a year without scoring
on their own soil and of course it was Luís Fabiano who
also netted back in November 2007.
Robinho and Kaká were clearly up for this one but Portugal
looked the more composed and purposeful of the two teams.
Brazil, though, began to impose themselves on the match and soon
went in front. Kaká teased the Portuguese defence before
finding Luís Fabiano who turned his defender. His shot
took a slight nick off Maniche and wrong-footed Quim.
In the second-half, Brazil fired in two quick goals. Maicon hit
a real belter after being set up by Luís Fabiano. And just
after, the striker grabbed his hat-trick after Quim failed to
hang on to the ball and it fell invitingly for the number nine.
Portugal responded with Simão but Quim soon conceded a
fifth after Elano got free down the right and then gave Manchester
City coach, Mark Hughes, something to think about after he hit
a splendid curling shot past the Portuguese keeper.
Substitute Adriano completed the rout on the stroke of full-time.
A fabulous night of football with a confident Brazil back to
their very best. But the question remains whether the South Americans
can perform like this when it really counts. At least Dunga will
have plenty of ammunition to fend off his critics until next February
when they meet Italy in a friendly on London.
Venue: estádio Bezerrão, Gama, Brazil
Date: 19/11/2008.
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (URU). Assistants: Walter Rial &
Pablo Fandiño (URU)
Brazil: Julio César, Maicon (Daniel Alves), Thiago Silva,
Luisão, Kléber (Marcelo), Gilberto Silva, Anderson
(Josué), Elano (Mancini), Kaká, Robinho (Alex),
Luís Fabiano (Adriano).
Coach: Dunga
Portugal: Quim, Bosingwa, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Paulo Ferreira,
Danny (Nani), Maniche (Cesar Peixoto), Tiago (Raul), Deco (João
Moutinho), Cristiano Ronaldo, Simão.
Coach: Carlos Queiroz.
Goals: Danny 4; Luis Fabiano 8, 24, 57; Maicon 55; Simão
61; Elano 65; Adriano 90
Yellows: Elano, Marcelo, Luis Fabiano (Brazil). Danny, Cristiano
Ronaldo (Portugal);
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