Brazil hammer Portugal 6-2

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.

See the highlights here

Brazil 6-2 Portugal

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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