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Italy's first loss under coach Marcello Lippi since 2004 denied him a world record 32nd successive match without defeat.
The English Premier League players had the shortest journey to London for this friendly and gave the five-time World Cup winners a big head start in the first 27 minutes of the entertaining friendly.
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Brazil's players celebrate Elano's goal during their friendly international soccer match against Italy at The Emirates Stadium in London Feb. 10, 2009. |
Italy, which won a fourth World Cup under Lippi in 2006, should have led after four minutes. Fabio Grosso found the net but was incorrectly adjudged to be offside by English referee Howard Webb.
Brazil went ahead after 16 minutes when Elano back-heeled the ball to Robinho, who returned it to his City teammate to slot past Gianluigi Buffon.
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Brazil's Robinho (L) celebrates his goal with Elano during their friendly international soccer match against Italy at The Emirates Stadium in London Feb. 10, 2009 |
Italy came close again before the break, with Daniele de Rossi's weak shot palmed over by Julio Cesar, and Alberto Gilardino slicing high.
The Italians looked more assertive and found the net for a second time in the 65th only to be denied again by Webb.
Luca Toni appeared to take Pirlo's deep ball down with his hand before firing past Cesar.