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Leonardo nets twice in Brazil victory

Leonardo scored two goals in a three-minute span, as Brazil beat The Netherlands 3-1 in the team's second exhibition game in four days.

After tying the Dutch side 2-2 on Saturday, in the northeastern city of Salvador, Brazil needed the victory if only to show the demanding Brazilian public that the new national team, under direction of coach Wanderley Luxemburgo, is still a force to be reckoned with going into the Copa America tournament.

Brazil had a false start in the 15th minute, when the referee failed to notice that Amoroso touched the ball with his hand before kicking it in the goal. Minutes later, the judge took the goal back.

But Amoroso got it right the second time around, when a pass from a double-teamed Rivaldo caught Amoroso front and centre before the goal. With a quick feint he managed to get the ball past the Dutch goalkeeper in the 22nd minute.

In the 39th minute, it was Leonardo's turn to shine. Squeezing through two defenders he still managed a weak kick, that sent the ball rolling into the goal post before bouncing in.

Three minutes later, Leonardo scored again with a hard shot high to the goalkeeper's right.

During the second half, the Brazilians managed to keep the heat on the Dutch, but weren't able to score.

In the 80th minute, a free-kick by Pierre van Hooijdunk gave the Dutch team its only goal.

AP