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Ronaldinho led Brazil scrape to win

07/08/2008

A lacklustre Brazil scraped to a 1-0 win over Belgium in their opening fixture of Group C at the Olympic Games.

Midfielder Hernanes grabbed a late winner for Brazil against a Belgium side who saw two players red carded. Captain Vincent Kompany was sent-off for a second bookable offence before the Hernanes goal and Marouane Fellaini was given his marching orders with two minutes left.

Brazil had the likes of Ronaldinho, Diego, Alexandre Pato, and Anderson in their star-studded side. But they had to wait until the 79th minute for Hernanes to turn neatly in the penalty area and rifle home the winner.

Hosts China drew 1-1 with New Zealand in the other fixture in Group C with Manchester United striker Dong Fangzhou grabbing a late equaliser.

Argentina lead Group A after they beat the Ivory Coast 2-1 with Lionel Messi scoring one and setting up the other. Australia and Serbia played out a 1-1 draw to share second place in Group A.

Goals from Sebastian Giovinco Giuseppe Rossi and Robert Acquafresca saw Italy comfortably beat Honduras and claim top spot in Group D. George Mandjeck scored a late equaliser for Cameroon against South Korea in the other game in Group D.

USA head Group B after Scottish-born striker Stuart Holden scored the winner for them in their 1-0 win over Japan. Holland were surprisingly held to a goalless draw in Group B today.