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Brazil beat Wales 2-0

September 06, 2006 07:32 IST

Teenage left back Marcelo marked his international debut with the opening goal as Brazil completed a successful London tour with a 2-0 win over Wales in a friendly at White Hart Lane on Tuesday.

Brazil, almost entirely changed from the team that beat arch-rivals Argentina 3-0 across north London at the Emirates Stadium two days ago, went ahead on the hour.

The 18-year-old Marcelo took a square ball from Kaka near the edge of the box to the left and his low shot flew past diving keeper Paul Jones into the bottom corner.

Striker Vagner Love increased Brazil's lead in the 73rd when he headed home substitute defender Cicinho's cross from the right into the top corner over Jones.

Brazil's starting lineup included Kaka, a substitute on Sunday when he scored a fine solo goal, and Ronaldinho, who had been unavailable through injury against Argentina.

Playmaker Ronaldinho nearly scored just before being replaced by Robinho in the 67th minute but his curling shot flew just wide.

Marcelo also came close with a similar effort to that which produced his goal when he shot from the left in the 69th but this time Jones dived to turn the ball away.  

BUSIER KEEPER

Jones was much the busier keeper, although Gomes had to come off his line sharply around the quarter-hour mark to block a stinging shot by Rob Earnshaw who had been put through with an exquisite touch by captain Ryan Giggs.

Jones also blocked a shot from central defender Alex inside the six-yard box and midfielder Edmilson hit the rebound wide.

Wales defender Danny Gabbidon cleared from Vagner Love when the striker was poised to pounce on a low Ronaldinho cross from the left and in the final quarter of an hour of the first half Jones blocked shots from Julio Baptista and Kaka.

Brazil's first-half finishing did not have the finesse that saw them ease to victory over Argentina as Kaka headed a corner wide and Luisao and Edmilson were also off target with shots.

Wales scrapped for a goal and a couple of moments of slackness in the Brazil defence almost gifted them one, especially when Bellamy pounced on a poor back pass by Alex and was only just foiled by Gomes's foot.

The Welsh, who have now lost eight times to Brazil in 10 meetings, could have snatched a late consolation but substitute Joe Ledley pulled Bellamy's low left-wing cross wide.

Gomes also blocked Bellamy 90th minute effort after the Wales striker appeared to control the ball with his hand.

Source: REUTERS
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