Ivory Coast faced long odds: Brazilian-to-1

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This article was published 21/06/2010 (5949 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Luis Fabiano scored a pair of goals and Elano added another as Brazil beat Ivory Coast 3-1 Sunday to secure a spot in the second round of the World Cup with a match to spare in Group G.

Luis Fabiano scored his first goal in six matches for Brazil with a powerful right-footer in the 25th minute after a perfect pass between two defenders by Kaka. He jumped over defender Kolo Toure before firing into the top of the net from a difficult angle.

Luis Fabiano doubled the lead in the 50th with a left-footer from near the penalty spot after beating two defenders inside the area. TV replays appeared to show Luis Fabiano handling the ball to gain control.

Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said Luis Fabiano handled the ball twice in the leadup to his second goal, which changed the course of the match.

"It shouldn’t have been allowed," Eriksson said. "They got a goal free. That’s a 2-nil goal — that changed everything.

"It’s even more difficult if he’s allowed to use his hands. Of course it’s hand ball. It’s not once, it’s twice."

Elano scored Brazil’s third goal in the 62nd after another setup by Kaka, who was sent off in the 88th after being booked twice within four minutes in a spiteful finish.

Didier Drogba, in the starting lineup for the first time since breaking his right arm on June 4, scored the lone goal for Ivory Coast with a header in the 79th.

It was a physical match at Soccer City, with hard fouls from both sides and players confronting each other at times. Kaka got into an altercation with Kader Keita near the end of the match and was ejected after a second yellow card.

The victory gives Brazil six points from two matches, leaving the Ivory Coast in difficult position to advance from the group stage. Portugal and North Korea play today in Cape Town.

Brazil has won all six matches it has played against African nations in the World Cup.

— The Associated Press

Brazil 1 2 — 3

Ivory Coast 0 1 — 1

First Half

1. Brazil, Luis Fabiano 1, 25th minute

Second Half

2. Brazil, Luis Fabiano 2, 50th

3. Brazil, Elano 2, 62nd

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4. Ivory Coast, Didier Drogba 1, 79th

Shots — Brazil: 12; Ivory Coast: 10.

Shots On Goal — Brazil: 6; Ivory Coast: 4

Attendance — 84,455.