Brazil manages to beat Wales 2-0

Despite not playing as well as it had two days earlier against Argentina, Brazil defeated Wales 2-0 on Tuesday to finish its London tour with two wins in two games, five goals scored and none conceded. Coach Dunga remains unbeaten in three matches since taking command after the World Cup, in which the team coached by Carlos Alberto Parreira fell in the quarterfinals to France.

Facing a team that did not allow as many spaces as Argentina, Brazil had trouble creating scoring chances. Fielding a different starting eleven, the team still controlled the game, but often with several passes in midfield, far from the goal defended by Jones. Not even the presence of Ronaldinho Gaucho and Kaka in midfield seemed to give the team the spark it showed against Argentina. At times, it looked more like the passionless team from the World Cup than the renewed one that gave new hope to Brazilian fans last Sunday.

After a scoreless first half, the South Americans opened the score in the 60th minute, when left back Marcelo hit a nice shot from outside the penalty box. The goal seemed to wake up the team, which started playing better. Dunga made a few substitutions but the team kept the pressure. At the 74th minute mark, Cicinho made a cross from the right wing to Vagner Love, who headed the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

In the end, a positive result that allowed Dunga to test almost all the players he called for the friendlies. The new coach seems to be headed in the right direction. His next match will be next month, against Kuwait.