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.
The combination of difficult, physical opponents and high altitude makes this one of the most difficult fixtures of Brazil's 18-match qualifying campaign and they have lost 1-0 on their previous two visits to Quito in 2001 and 2004.
It is exactly the sort of game in which Brazil need Robinho's trickery the 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 such as Hong Kong, Canada and a Kuwait Select team.
"We have to have tactical obedience and marking and when we can have possession of the ball, we can enjoy ourselves," he told the Brazilian federation's website.
"We showed that Brazilian players are tactically disciplined.
"The old story that Brazilian players are indisciplined and don't mark, that they don't chase back belongs in the past.
"All of our the players were looking to mark their opponents."
