Robinho strike beats ROI
Robinho produced a wonderful strike to beat Republic of Ireland
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Wednesday, 06, Feb 2008 11:00
Robinho produced a sublime finish to claim the only goal of the game as Brazil beat Republic of Ireland 1-0 at Croke Park.
The Real Madrid forward completed a sweeping attacking move by gracefully beating Lee Carsley and then slotting the ball past Shay Given almost in one motion.
Managerless Ireland did well to thwart Brazil for much of the game and were able to craft some chances of their own but as the second half wore on the visitors began to look like the likely victors.
Aiden McGeady provided a spark for Ireland going forward and put some dangerous crosses into Brazil's penalty area but their defence managed to hold firm.
Shay Given was the busier of the two goalkeepers and had to make a good save from Diego's free-kick midway through the first half.
Don Givens' side started the second half brightly and nearly broke the deadlock when Robbie Keane played in Damien Duff but his through-ball proved too strong. Reading striker Kevin Doyle also went close but his header went over the bar.
Brazil then took control and began to test Given on a regular basis. Fabiano had a shot tipped over the bar by the Newcastle United goalkeeper before Julio Baptista sent a shot fizzing past the right post.
Fabiano went close again before Robinho's moment of magic. Diego broke on the counter-attack and released Robinho; he then forced Carsley to retreat into his own box before slotting the ball home.
Robbie Keane almost levelled the game late on but was denied by Julio Cesar in the Brazil goal.
Ireland will hope to have a new manager to impress when they next play against Serbia in May.