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Ronaldinho scores twice in Brazil win

March 24, 2007 23:50 IST
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Ronaldinho scored his first international goals for nearly two years to help Brazil thrash Chile 4-0 in a friendly on Saturday.

Ronaldinho converted a controversial penalty and scored direct from a free kick as Brazil, playing at the Ullevi stadium where Pele made his international debut in 1958, romped to an easy win.

The Barcelona player, who last scored for his country in the Confederations Cup final against Argentina in June 2005, was making only his second start in seven games under coach Dunga.

"It's long time so I'm happy to have scored," Ronaldinho told Brazilian television at halftime.

Kaka and Juan scored the other goals in an often bad-tempered South American clash

Brazil coach Dunga, who raised eyebrows in the previous game against Portugal by wearing a garish black-and-white shirt with false braces, this time took the touchline wearing a more sober plain blue number and team jacket.

However, his team, with Robinho, Kaka and Ronaldinho starting together for the first time under Dunga's leadership, were far more vibrant than in the 2-0 defeat.

The disappointing Chileans, despite the backing of most of the crowd, barely managed to string a passing move together, wasting much of their energy on gamesmanship and arguing with the referee.

SAVING TACKLE

Brazil had the first opening when Fred found Kaka free on the right but Chile's Mark Gonzalez made a saving tackle.

Brazil went ahead in the 16th minute with a harsh penalty awarded when Lucio went tumbling over after a shoving match in the penalty area.

Ronaldinho placed his kick into the bottom left-hand corner beyond the reach of Claudio Bravo to score.

Bravo punced away Robinho's powerful long-range dive before Brazil extended their lead in the 31st minute.

Daniel Alves sent over a low cross from the right, Claudio Maldonado failed to clear and Kaka, left unmarked in the penalty area, rifled in a first-time shot.

Brazil's dominance continued after the break.

Robinho hit the post with a bicycle kick and fired over the rebound, then won the free kick from which Ronaldinho added the third in the 49th minute.

His 25-metre effort swerved around the wall and bounced in front of Bravo as it flew into the net.

The fourth came on the hour from a corner when Ronaldinho cleverly pulled the ball down and central defender Juan hooked in from close range.

Maldonado thumped the ball against the crossbar two minutes later in a rare Chile attack.

The end of the game was marred when several supporters ran onto the pitch.

Brazil's two-match sojourn in Sweden continues when they face Ghana in another friendly in Solna on Tuesday.

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Source: REUTERS
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