Brazil 0 Portugal 2:Dunga was always likely to feel the cold here wearing only a long-sleeved shirt in the dugout, but there was more than the weather to chill the Brazil coach last night as his team lost for the first time under his management.
A friendly that seemed certain to be heading for a goalless draw as a largely insipid second half followed an entertaining first period brought two goals for Portugal in the closing stages. First Simao, a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo, took advantage of non-existent marking to volley in a Ricardo Quaresma cross. Then Ricardo Carvalho, watched by his Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, scored from a centre by Hugo Viana.
Brazil had dominated before the interval but missed chances and hit the woodwork, and then saw Portugal tighten and improve in possession to dictate periods without seriously looking like scoring before the goals came.
Brazil, so disappointing at the World Cup, clearly still have work to do despite promising early signs under Dunga's leadership. They offered next to nothing in the second half.
Injury had robbed a near-capacity crowd of the chance to watch Brazil's Ronaldinho and Robinho, but the fans had still anticipated plenty of entertainment. Such a tone had been set outside with the familiar sound of Brazilian musicians playing whistles and drums, and although the fans mingled contentedly there was a competitive edge.
Brazil's failure at last summer's World Cup under Carlos Alberto Parreira led to Dunga's instalment. He was looking to extend an unbeaten record as Brazil coach and his team were comfortably superior in the first half. Portugal's goalkeeper, Ricardo, was forced into two saves and Brazil went close to scoring on three other occasions as they dominated, including when Lucio smacked the bar from close-range.
Their ball retention was far better than Portugal's and, as expected, they possessed dangerous attackers. Kaka had his moments as he cleverly found space, and the 21-year-old Rafael Sobis, a forward with Real Betis, was intermittently lively. His willingness to defend impressed, too, and he got back to make an important saving tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Getting forward is more Sobis' strength and his impact would have been greater with sharper finishing. Ricardo saved from him with his legs and Sobis planted a header narrowly wide after a perfect cross from Elano.
Dunga looked on wearing only a questionable shirt and was surely feeling the cold without a jacket. The more wrapped up Scolari had chilly moments to endure thanks to Portugal's performance and his side tested the Brazil goalkeeper, Helton, just once before the interval, when Helder Postiga latched on to Tiago's excellent pass.
Ronaldo was offering occasional thrust but no cutting edge, partly because of Brazil's willingness to foul him, and was booed every time he touched the ball.
Guardian Service
BRAZIL: Helton; Maicon (Daniel Alves 64), Lucio, Juan (Luisao 46), Gilberto; Elano, Edmilson (Tinga 64), Gilberto Silva, Kaka; Fred (Diego 69), Rafael Sobis (Adriano 46).
PORTUGAL: Ricardo; Miguel, Ricardo Carvalho (Fernando Meira 90), Jorge Andrade, Caneira (Paulo Ferreira 46); Cristiano Ronaldo (Simao 64), Petit, Tiago (Joao Moutinho 69), Deco (Hugo Viana 62), Quaresma; Helder Postiga (Nuno Gomes 76).
Referee: Martin Atkinson (England)
