Serie A in North America: Robinho Lifts Brazil Passed Chile!

Brazil fans celebrate Hulk's go-ahead goal

Serie A came to North America on Tuesday, as Italian soccer stars from Brazil and Chile faced off in Toronto's Rogers Centre.

Atalanta's Carlos Carmona (for Chile), SS Lazio's Anderson Hernanes, AS Roma's Douglas Maicon (for Brazil) featured in the game with good performances, but it was AC Milan's Robinho who stole the show by scoring the game-winner on 79 minutes.

Just 13 minutes in, Hulk put Brazil ahead thanks to a powerful left-footed diagonal shot from just inside the 18-yard box.  Brazil created numerous chances thanks to a Chilean midfield left vulnerable to Brazil's counterattacks.

Fan-favourite Neymar entertained the crowd with impressive runs and attempts at goal. One shot that was truly worthy of note was preceded by a dazzling double-sombrero on a Chilean defender, which was stopped by Chile's goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo.

However at the 70th minute, former Napoli man Edu Vargas equalized with a low shot from outside the box that surprised Julio Cesar, sending the Chilean fans into raptures.

Back to Robinho: the rossonero was subbed on in the second half for an injured Jo and immediately proved to be more effective, often coming back to become involved in game play and offering himself as a reference point in Brazil's attacking line.

His efforts culminated with a little over 10 minutes from time, heading Maicon's cross passed Bravo to give Brazil the lead (see pic below).

Robinho poises to meet Maicon's cross for Brazil's game winning goal

ACF Fiorentina's Matias Fernandez had a very good performance despite his late-game employment by coach Jorge Sampaoli recording an attempt at goal shortly after coming on.

Juventus FC's Mauricio Isla remained on the substitutes bench, while Arturo Vidal did not form part of Chile's roster due to injury.

A successful evening of soccer in Canada's largest city, proved that North America has a vibrant soccer community, and that Toronto can make headlines for more than municipal politics.

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