Brazil earns 2-0 win over Algeria in friendly

MONTPELLIER, France (AP) - Maicon and Ronaldinho scored second-half goals Wednesday to give Brazil a 2-0 win over Algeria in a friendly international.

Maicon nodded in a corner kick from Ronaldinho in the 63rd minute, and the Barcelona playmaker doubled the lead in the 81st by tucking home a low shot from Diego that was deflected by goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui.

"It's a pleasure to come back in France, have a good game, and help the Selecao," Ronaldinho said.
Brazil dominated ball possession in the first half but failed to convert that into goals.

Maicon connected with Robinho in the sixth, but the Real Madrid forward's curling drive was punched away by Gaouaoui.

The Algeria goalkeeper then denied Elano in the eighth, and blocked an angled shot from Julio Baptista in the 30th.

Mineiro slipped a through ball to Vagner Love in the 34th, but Gaouaoui rushed outside his area to stop the CSKA Moscow striker.
Algeria retaliated on counterattacks.

Set up by Karim Ziani, Rafik Saifi broke the offside trap in the 23rd. But Saifi lost his one-on-one dual against goalkeeper Doni, who tackled the ball as the Lorient forward attempted to dribble past him.

"We played some nice football," Ziani said. "We don't have to be ashamed. ... We have to keep on improving so that we can become competitive in Africa."

Ronaldinho and Kaka came off the bench in the second half to boost Brazil's offense.

Ronaldinho had a curling free kick on target in the 47th, but Gaouaoui made the save.

The Barcelona playmaker crossed the ball to Kaka in the 60th but the AC Milan midfielder's volley from the edge of the box was diverted by defender Ismael Bouzid.

Algeria had opportunities to score a consolation goal in the second half but lacked the finishing touch.

Brazil will face the United States on Sept. 9 and Mexico on Sept. 12 before starting 2010 World Cup qualifying in October.