Robinho scores in Brazil's 3-0 win

I stayed up last night to watch City's three Brazilians in action. I know I should have posted this at the time, but the game didn't finish until 03.57am.

Robinho started on the right hand side of a 4-3-3 for Brazil. In a quick and open game, he impressed with his willingness to run at defenders. After nine minutes, a lovely one-two with Luis Fabiano put Robinho through on goal, but he shot tamely at the Chile keeper's legs. (Video here).

He produced a perfect chipped pass to a marginally offside Ronaldinho, but was otherwise quiet for most the rest of the first half, as Luis Fabiano put Brazil into a 1-0 lead.

But seconds before half time, Fabiano took down a long ball and laid the ball off to Robinho, whose finish from the edge of the box was exquisite. Watch it HERE.

One minute in the second half, Brazilian left back Kleber was sent off. This led to Ronaldinho's withdrawal for anouther defender, leaving Robinho up front alongside Fabiano in a 4-3-2 formation. He didn't see as much of the ball, although when Chile also went down to 10 men the game became more open again. His one chance, a header from a Maicon cross, went well wide.

On 77 minutes, Diego came off for Elano, who charged around everywhere but didn't come up with anything spectacular. Five minutes later Luis Fabiano scored his second and Brazil's third.

But with four minutes remaining Luis Fabiano was replaced up front by Jô. And the two City players operating together up front showed us what we can expect this year. In the last minute of normal time, Robinho surged from midfield and played a perfect through ball for Jô. His right foot shot was destined for the bottom corner but was turned round by the keeper.

And in stoppage time a one-two between the players put Robinho in on goal, but his shot went tamely to the keeper.

Very promising signs though. The only way to play Robinho, Petrov and Wright-Phillips in the same team is to use Robinho as a second striker behind Jô: a partnership which showed impressive signs this evening.


Robinho's chance after 0.09, goal after 1.07