Robinho sees off Republic

Republic of Ireland suffered their first loss at Croke Park after a 1-0 defeat to Brazil.

Republic of Ireland suffered their first loss at Croke Park after a 1-0 defeat to Brazil. Robinho's second half goal proved to be enough to give Brazil a deserved victory in Dublin. The Real Madrid star struck on 67 minutes to finally break down the home's side stubborn resistance. Brazil dominated for long periods and the margin of victory could have been greater only for some fine saves from Shay Given. In front of a colourful travelling support, the Brazilians had their best chance in the seventh minute after Robinho was fouled by Lee Carsley but Diego's free-kick was saved low by Given. The visitors predictably dominated possession but lacked some of their usual sparkle, Robinho resorting to a spectacular long-range volley in the 18th minute which soared over Given's bar. John O'Shea did well to deflect another Leonardo Moura cross from the right out for a corner while Fabiano broke through but was ruled narrowly offside again as Brazil continued to press. McGeady produced a moment of magic in the 37th minute when he skipped around two Brazilian defenders and fired a deep cross which Luisao did well to hack out of the six-yard box. At the other end, Josue drove straight at Given from a tight angle at point-blank range but there remained precious little for the samba-drumming visiting support to get excited about. Fabiano sought to lift the spirits with a clever curling shot three minutes before the break but with Given frantically back-pedalling the ball dipped just the wrong side of the post.

Pressure

The Republic almost grabbed the lead out of nothing in the 49th minute when Keane cut the Brazilian defence in two with a brilliant through-ball but it was just too strong for the clear Duff and keeper Julio Cesar got there first. And Don Givens' men enjoyed their best spell of the match just before the hour mark, with Kelly's right-wing cross setting up a chance for substitute Potter who mis-kicked in a central position. Moments later Kevin Kilbane sent in a more lofted ball from the opposite flank towards Doyle, but although the Reading man got his head to it he directed it onto the roof of the net. As the game belatedly sprang into life, Given tipped a close-range Fabiano effort over the bar and Julio Baptista drove a low effort narrowly wide of the keeper's right-hand post in the 62nd minute. Leonardo Moura set up the onrushing Fabiano only to see him shoot into the side-netting, before the visitors finally took the lead in typically effortless fashion in the 66th minute. Diego swept forward on a counter-attacking move before playing in Robinho who tricked the retreating Carsley before sending a delicate effort through the midfielder's legs and across Given into the corner of the net. The Republic rallied in the dying minutes with substitute Stephen Hunt almost playing in Keane before the Tottenham man found himself free in the six-yard box only for Julio Cesar to react quickest and save.

Republic of Ireland	Team Statistics	Brazil
0	Goals	1
0	1st Half Goals	0
1	Shots on Target	4
4	Shots off Target	8
1	Blocked Shots	4
4	Corners	9
13	Fouls	19
2	Offsides	5
1	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0
84.8	Passing Success	90.2
20	Tackles	31
55	Tackles Success	61.3
35.7	Possession	64.3
42.1	Territorial Advantage	57.9