Brazil-Sweden 1-0: Alexandre Pato Delivers

In a lackluster match which found Sweden testing the waters before their upcoming Euro 2008 campaign and Brazil fine-tuning for the Olympics only "The Duck" entertained briefly.

Brief was his contribution but a few minutes of genius was all it took.

The match began with Sweden apparently testing their defensive abilities in this friendly playing with two lines of four and solidly hampering Brazilian efforts.

The Brazilians tried but to no avail against a well organised Swedish defense which would resort to the occasional nudge when things did not go their way.

In the 24th minute Sweden get a long awaited counter attack as the entire Brazilian team, literally all ten, were committed to attack. The counter attack was a mad dash in extreme velocity which resulted in a Swedish player neglecting to pass inside the box at the crucial moment and then a wild ill-directed shot. Lots of speed to get to the danger zone but very little skill.

The rest of the match continued with more of the same until Dunga the Brazilian coach changed the team bringing in younger players one of which was Alexandre Pato.

Moments after, a ball bounced first to the Swedish goalie but instead of clearing madly he tried to place it for a throw much to the delight of Pato who intercepted and calmly placed the ball into the goal.

Without looking Pato lobbed the ball out of the goalie's reach into the goal. If it had been a shot in pool it was like a white ball into the left corner pocket.

Poor Shabaan, the next time a ball comes bouncing and there's a Brazilian nearby he should madly kick it into space as there is a reason why Brazil have five stars on their jerseys.

Sweden played a perfect defensive game with some chances and a counter attack that nearly worked.

If it were not for some good saves from Julio Cesar and some really poor finishing at times they could have pulled off a draw or even the very rare delight of beating the mighty Brazil.