LONDON: Brazil turned on the style to beat world champions Italy 2-0 in a friendly on Tuesday thanks to first-half goals by Elano and Robinho.
Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi missed out on a record 32 unbeaten matches in charge as Brazil made light of Kaka's absence to put on a performance which belied their coach Dunga's reputation as a dour tactician.
The defending was not good on either side but the capacity crowd at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium decked in Brazilian and Italian colours were not complaining about the open match.
Elano added to the two goals he scored for Brazil against Argentina at the same stadium in 2006 with a fine opener in the 13th minute after laying the ball back to Robinho and picking up the return pass to slot it past Gianluigi Buffon.
Robinho then had the Brazilian section of the crowd in raptures with a brilliant solo goal.
Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro's attempted overhead shot was cleared and his opposite number Lucio broke fast downfield before laying the ball off to the right.
Ronaldinho, who mixed silky skills with wayward passing all night, crossed poorly and Italy's Andrea Pirlo appeared to have control of the situation.
But Robinho robbed him of possession and tricked his way past two other defenders before shooting clinically into the far corner.
Italy twice had he ball in the net but were denied first when a high Pirlo ball into the Brazil box was brilliantly volleyed past Julio Cesar from an offside position.
Substitute striker Luca Toni had a second-half effort ruled out after he controlled the ball with his arm under pressure from Lucio and Juan before steering the ball into the net.
Toni might have pulled one back near the end but Julio Cesar blocked his neat close-range flick from a low cross.
Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi missed out on a record 32 unbeaten matches in charge as Brazil made light of Kaka's absence to put on a performance which belied their coach Dunga's reputation as a dour tactician.
The defending was not good on either side but the capacity crowd at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium decked in Brazilian and Italian colours were not complaining about the open match.
Elano added to the two goals he scored for Brazil against Argentina at the same stadium in 2006 with a fine opener in the 13th minute after laying the ball back to Robinho and picking up the return pass to slot it past Gianluigi Buffon.
Robinho then had the Brazilian section of the crowd in raptures with a brilliant solo goal.
Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro's attempted overhead shot was cleared and his opposite number Lucio broke fast downfield before laying the ball off to the right.
Ronaldinho, who mixed silky skills with wayward passing all night, crossed poorly and Italy's Andrea Pirlo appeared to have control of the situation.
But Robinho robbed him of possession and tricked his way past two other defenders before shooting clinically into the far corner.
Italy twice had he ball in the net but were denied first when a high Pirlo ball into the Brazil box was brilliantly volleyed past Julio Cesar from an offside position.
Substitute striker Luca Toni had a second-half effort ruled out after he controlled the ball with his arm under pressure from Lucio and Juan before steering the ball into the net.
Toni might have pulled one back near the end but Julio Cesar blocked his neat close-range flick from a low cross.
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