Brazil Earns Title Again With 3-0 Win

Brazil repeated as South American champion, beating Uruguay, 3-0, Sunday on two goals by Rivaldo and another by Ronaldo to win the Copa America.

Brazil, which last year lost to France in the World Cup final, went ahead in the 21st minute when Flavio Conceicao curled in a free kick from the left side and Rivaldo headed it past goalkeeper Fabian Carini from the near post.

Rivaldo scored again six minutes later, taking a cross from Ze Roberto, trapping the ball, shaking his defender with a dribble and gently chipping the ball over Carini.

Barely a minute into the second half, Rivaldo spotted Ronaldo on a breakaway and sent a perfect pass to the forward, who sent a hard shot past Carini to make it 3-0.

“This is an especially happy moment, because it’s been a difficult year for me,” said Ronaldo, who was a non-factor when he played hurt in the World Cup final, struggled with tendinitis in his knees during the Italian League season and broke up with his fiance.

Ronaldo and Rivaldo scored five goals each, tied for the lead in the biennial tournament. Brazil, the only four-time World Cup champion, outscored opponents, 17-2, in winning its sixth South American title. Uruguay and Argentina have the most, 14 each.

“This is the first phase of our project to prepare for the Olympics and the 2002 World Cup,” Brazil coach Wanderley Luxemburgo said. “We’re happy with the win, but our minds are on the World Cup.”

Brazil plays the United States on July 28 in the FIFA Confederations Cup at Guadalajara, Mexico. Ronaldo won’t make that trip.