UPDATE 1-Soccer-Superb Pato goal hands Brazil win over Sweden

Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:46pm GMT
 
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By Rex Gowar

LONDON, March 26 (Reuters) - Teenager Alexandre Pato marked his international debut on Wednesday with an astonishing opportunist goal to give Brazil a 1-0 win over Sweden in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium.

The 72nd-minute strike was the one fitting moment of a match marking the 50th anniversary of Brazil's victory over Sweden in the 1958 World Cup final in Stockholm for the first of their five titles. The 18-year-old chased Rami Shaaban towards the right touchline as the substitute goalkeeper looked set for an easy clearance and contrived to block the ball, swivel and send an exquisite left-footed lob into the unguarded net.

"It was flawless, a perfect volley, but he also had a little bit of luck," Sweden coach Lars Lagerback told a news conference.

Brazil coach Dunga was characteristically low key about the strike but praised Pato for his commitment.

"Let's not exaggerate (the goal's brilliance), but it was an important goal," said Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning captain.

"(Pato) has technical quality, but I liked how he went to put the goalkeeper in difficulty," he added.

"He has everything to be a crack (player), but let's see (how good he is) after 40 games."  Continued...

 

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