BEIJING, China, October 15- Brazil beat 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions Zambia 2-0 with two second-half strikes in seven minutes.
Emboaba Jr Oscar opened scoring for the five-time World Cup champions in the 61st minute when the second half substitute picked up a short corner and drove his deflected long-range strike over Zambian keeper Mweene and into the top corner.
Seven minutes later, Dede headed home after Santos Jr Neymar won a controversial free kick and delivered it himself.
At the National Stadium, known as “Bird’s Nest”, Neymar kicked off the match in style by narrowly missing the target only three minutes from the start, floating a free kick earned by himself just denied by the up-bar.
The Brazilian top striker, however, failed to score as at least five of his attempts towards the opponents’ goal had been blocked in the first half.
This is the third defeat in as many matches that Zambia have played outside Africa since 2012, with the Copper Bullets, who have not yet made the final cut for next year’s World Cup, losing to both South Korea and Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their previous trip away from continent.
Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side, who take the match as part of their preparations for the 2014 World Cup, beat South Korea 2-0 in their last outing. The world champions have won nine of their last 10 games in all competitions, and four of their past five friendly matches.
Brazil have won six of their last ten games in all competitions. Zambia have failed to score in two of their last three games.