THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN CRISTOBAL, Venezuela — Robinho, Kaka and Adriano all scored for Brazil, which easily defeated Venezuela 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier Sunday and secured second place at the halfway point of the South American tournament.
Kaka returned from an 11-month absence from Brazil’s national team to open the scoring in the sixth minute off a pass from Robinho. Four minutes later, Robinho put a shot into the upper left corner.
Adriano added a goal in the 19th minute, and Robinho slipped the ball passed Vega in the 67th to put Brazil ahead 4-0. Brazil has won 18 of its last 19 matches against Venezuela.
Venezuela’s best scoring chance came in the 52nd minute, when Giancarlo Maldonado broke through the defence, but Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar made a save to preserve the shutout.
It was the fourth straight defeat for Venezuela, which has never qualified for the World Cup.