Brazil striker Robinho's individual goal in the 2-0 win over Italy on Tuesday was as exasperating as it was brilliant, reinforcing the view that he only shines for his country when the stakes are low.

The Manchester City forward mesmerised the Italians at London's Emirates Stadium with an array of shimmies, flicks and trademark stepovers. Brazilian supporters, however, may wish that he had saved some of them for a much more important game next month.

Brazil make the long journey to Quito to face Ecuador on March 28 at 2,800 metres above sea level in a World Cup qualifier.

The combination of difficult, physical opponents and high altitude makes this one of the most difficult fixtures of Brazil's 18-match qualifying campaign.

It is exactly the sort of game in which Brazil need Robinho's trickery most and in which, so far, he has struggled to provide it.

Robinho's goal against Italy was his 19th for Brazil in 59 appearances, several coming in friendlies against modest opponents.

He scored six times in the Copa America in 2007, including four in two games against a Chilean side in disarray, but none were in the semi-final or final.

In the current World Cup qualifying campaign, he has managed three goals, two against Venezuela in October and one away to Chile in August, one of the few times he has shone in more demanding circumstances.

However, he barely made an impression in the 2-0 defeat in Paraguay and goalless draws against Argentina, Colombia and Bolivia in which Brazil badly needed his skills to break down uncompromising defences.

Brazil coach Dunga, in typically dour mood, preferred to praise his players for their tactical discipline against Italy rather than their individual inspiration.

"We showed that Brazilian players are tactically disciplined," he said.

"The old story that Brazilian players are indisciplined and don't mark, that they don't chase back belongs in the past."