It was a good night for the number 10’s of Italy and Brazil last night, as both fantasisti inspired their teams to victory. Both Antonio Cassano and Ronaldinho ended up on the score-sheet with sublime strikes, and in Cassano’s case, two.
FantAntonio’s double ensured the Azzuri qualified for next year’s European Championships unbeaten as they turned over Northern Ireland 3-0 in Pescara. Cassano, who looked slick throughout the game, hit his first after latching onto a through-ball, connecting with a sweet volley which found the corner of the net on 21-minutes.
His second came in the 53-minute, racing onto an Aquilani pass and drilling a low shot which again found the corner. His work done, after scoring his eighth and ninth international goals of his career, he left the field of play. Italy will hope the controversial fantasista can reproduce this kind of form next summer in Poland and the Ukraine.
Ronaldinho has been out of the international spotlight for a while now but his domestic form back in his homeland, coupled with a few key injuries to other personal led to a recall against Mexico for a friendly.
Captaining the side, Ronaldinho didn’t disappoint, although Brazil initially fell behind and had a man sent-off, the number 10 star inspired a comeback, scoring in trademark fashion. A goal down up until the 79-minute Neymar won a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box which Ronaldinho duly dispatched into the far corner with tremendous power and accuracy. Brazil went on to win the match 2-1 with their fanatasista collecting the Man of the Match award.
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