Pato stars in Brazil triumph

Teenager grabs limelight with brilliant winner

Last updated: 26th March 2008

diego

Anders Svensson and Diego clash

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Alexandre Pato marked his international debut with a sublime 72nd-minute strike to earn Brazil a 1-0 win over Sweden in London.

The 18-year-old, regarded as Brazil's next superstar, shone in a friendly at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Brazil's first World Cup final triumph in 1958.

Pato had only been on the pitch for 12 minutes as a second-half substitute when he punished one-time Gunner Rami Shaaban's mistake with a moment of individual brilliance.

Style

The Milan star capitalised on substitute keeper Shaaban's miscued clearance when he fired home from an acute angle in style.

The Swedes had the first chance when Kim Kallstrom went close with a ferocious long-range effort that whistled over Julio Cesar's crossbar.

Lars Lagerback's team should have taken the lead when Markus Rosenberg burst clear but he shot wastefully wide.

Julio Baptista went close for Brazil twice. Firstly, Andreas Isaksson's denied the midfielder with a smart save and then curled a free-kick narrowly past a post.

Cutting edge

Diego was at the centre of most of Brazil's moves but in truth they lacked a cutting edge.

Mike Riley came in for criticism when he waved away Brazil's appeals for a penalty when Mikael Dorsin's appeared to bring down Diego.

But Dunga's decision to send on Pato paid off as his strike secured Brazil victory.