Luis Fabiano rains on Portugal parade
Thursday 20 November 2008
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Luis Fabiano celebrates one of his three goals against Portugal (©Getty Images)
Brazil 6-2 Portugal
A hat-trick from Luis Fabiano helped Brazil to record an emphatic friendly win against Portugal in Brasilia as Dunga's men pulled off their eighth successive victory in home games against European opposition.
Early setback
FC Zenit St. Petersburg star Danny got Carlos Queiroz's men off to a dazzling start with an early goal, but Sevilla FC striker Luis Fabiano quickly turned the tide with two goals. Maicon extended Brazil's lead after the interval before Luis Fabiano completed his treble, and after Simão pulled one back for Portugal, Elano Blumer and Adriano rounded off the scoring.
Brisk response
Such an outcome seemed unlikely after Deco's fourth-minute cross found Bruno Alves, with the FC Porto defender's shot being backheeled home by Danny. However, Brazil responded briskly, with Robinho teeing up Luis Fabiano for their ninth-minute leveller, before the former FC Porto hitman got on the end of Kaká's cross to put his side ahead midway through the first half.
Closing salvo
Further pressure told after the break as FC Internazionale Milano right-back Maicon beat Quim from a tight angle, and Luis Fabiano was on target again within minutes, finishing after the Portugal goalkeeper had fended off a Robinho shot. Deco's delightful pass set up Simão to make it 4-2 on 62 minutes, but a fierce Elano shot ended any hopes of a recovery, with substitute Adriano completing the rout late on with a header from Marcelo's left-wing cross.
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