Menezes contiDaniel Alves' rnues perfect Brazil star

Menezes contiDaniel Alves' rnues perfect Brazil start


emarkable volley helped Brazil secure a combative 2-0 victory over Ukraine, continuing Mano Menezes' 100 per cent start as coach.

The Barcelona full-back's superbly struck volley - reminiscent of Marco van Basten's strike in UEFA EURO 1988 - set the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ hosts on their way at Pride Park, before Alexandre Pato extended their advantage after the break.

Despite a gutsy performance from Ukraine, A Selecao showed greater strength at the back and flair going forward to extend their winning run under Menezes to three matches. Brazil were missing several star names for the friendly international that was watched by a mere 13,088 in Derby, despite being the first senior international fixture at Pride Park since England played Mexico in 2001.

Those that turned up in search of a Ukraine victory had their hopes dashed prior to kick-off after captain and talisman Andriy Shevchenko was ruled out with a thigh injury. Brazil, meanwhile, deployed an all European-based starting XI, with the likes of Robinho, Pato and Alves providing the backbone in a relatively inexperienced squad.

They dominated the opening exchanges on a bitter night in Derbyshire, although it was Ukraine who came closest to breaking the deadlock. Oleksandr Aliev's thunderous 30-yard free-kick threatened to deceive Victor, but the Gremio goalkeeper managed to block the 13th minute shot with his face.

However, the Brazilians soon turned on the style. AC Milan team-mates Pato and Robinho produced some precise interplay in the middle of the park, before the latter whipped in a superb cross to Alves at the back post. He met the cross with a crashing volley that flew across the goal and nestled in at the far post, taking a slight deflection on the way.

And Menezes' side came close to doubling their advantage ten minutes later. Pato's blend of strength and stepovers helped him wriggle free in the 18-yard box, only for the post to deny the striker and Carlos Eduardo to blaze over the rebound.

As half-time approached, Ukraine looked resurgent and thought they had equalised on the stroke of half-time, only for Aliev's strike to be ruled out for an earlier infringement. The Eastern Europeans continued to press after the break and substitute Ihor Khudobyak saw a 50th minute drive rebound back off the post.

However, Yuriy Kalitvintsev's side failed to capitalise on their pressure and Brazil's extra skill and nous eventually paid dividends in the 64th minute. Eduardo made amends for his earlier miss by providing a super cross for Pato, who turned on a sixpence to net a 64th minute winner to help the five-time world champions to a comfortable victory.