( dpa )- Robinho helped Brazil to a comfortable 1-0 win over Ireland in a friendly international in Dublin Wednesday.
Despite missing AC Milan duo Kaka and Alexandre Pato , Brazil were always in control and the Real Madrid striker produced a neat finish 22 minutes into the second half at a blustery Croke Park to seal a deserved victory.
The home team started the stronger but it was the Selecao who had
the first decent scoring opportunity after six minutes but Diego's weak free-kick was easily saved by Shay Given in the Ireland goal.
Richard Dunne then appeared to catch Diego in the area after 14 minutes but the referee signalled for a goal kick rather than a penalty.
The visitors began to dominate possession as the half progressed without creating any clearcut chances until Robinho played in Josue six minutes before the break but his shot from an acute angle was blocked by Given at the near post.
Two minutes later Luis Fabiano also went close with a lob as the South Americans finished the half strongly.
Brazil began the second half sloppily and almost paid the price when Robbie Keane nearly played Damien Duff through three minutes after the restart but goalkeeper Cesar was out quick to smother the ball.
Stephen Kelly received a deserved yellow card for a late tackle on Richarlyson but the foul seemed to spur Brazil into action as first Luis Fabiano saw his rasping volley parried away by Given before Baptista's shot slid just past a post.
But Brazil's pressure finally paid off when Robinho steered a low shot through Lee Carsley's legs and past Given's outstretched into the bottom lefthand corner.
Luis Fabiano nearly doubled Brazil's lead 10 minutes from time but the Sevilla striker just failed to reach Robinho's low cross.
The Irish pressed for an equalizer late on but failed to carve out a chance.