Ronaldo scored his first goal in over a year as Brazil beat Venezuela 3-0 on Wednesday.
Brazil played at full strength after Carlos Alberto Parreira rested the team’s top players against Bolivia on Sunday. Parreira opted to start Adriano and Ronaldo up front.
Brazil easily controlled the match in front of a 65,000 crowd at Mangueirao stadium in the northern city of Belem.
“We played well at home again,” Brazil captain Cafu said. “It was important to close out our run here with a victory.”
Adriano put Brazil ahead in the 28th minute with Ronaldinho the through ball, firing a left-footed shot from about eight metres into the far corner of the net.
Parreria replaced Adriano with Robinho in the second half.
Ronaldo added to the lead on a counterattack in the 51st min, dribbling past two defenders inside the area before slotting home from about five metres out.
The goal put an end to Ronaldo’s 1 year drought in front of goal. Ronaldo actually finished as the leading scorer with 10 goals.
“I hope I don’t have to go through something like this again” Ronaldo said.
Roberto Carlos scored Brazil’s third goal with a free kick in the 61st, sending a low left-footed shot past Venezuela goalkeeper Rafael Dudamel.
