Brazil barely broke sweat as they beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in a friendly that generated huge excitement in the troubled African country.
The visitors made a sluggish start and Ovidy Karuru blew a chance to write his name in Zimbabwean sporting history when he ballooned over the bar with the goal gaping in the 19th minute.
A header from Knowledge Musona, the Kaizer Chiefs striker, in the 27th minute forced a save from the Brazil goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. The Tottenham Hotspur player replaced Júlio Cesár after the first-choice keeper went off with a back injury, although team doctors said it did not appear to be serious.
Brazil, nearly at full strength, coolly moved up a gear and Michel Bastos fired home a free-kick from 20 yards. Soon after Robinho ran on to a long pass from the right-back Maicon to score with a first-time finish from inside the area.
In the second half Elano grabbed the third after a cross by the substitute Daniel Alves but Brazil, who made six substitutions in all, were unable to add to the tally in a game resembling a training exercise.
Bastos was thrilled to open his account for the national team. "It was a sensational feeling," he said. "I was able to take advantage of the chance I had. The World Cup starts today for me."
Zimbabwe, ranked 110th in the world and watched by the president Robert Mugabe, inspired passionate local support – and a constant hum of vuvuzelas.
