A finely crafted free-kick from Daniel Alves in the first-half and well-taken goals from Alexandre Pato and Nilmar in the second session saw Brazil overcome Iran 3-0 in Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening in the first ever international match between the two sides. However, things could have turned out differently for Brazil had Iran striker Mohammad Gholami’s fifth minute goal not been disallowed for offside. After the close call the South American giants commenced to impose themselves on the game and found the breakthrough on 14 minutes, when Alves’ exquisite free-kick pierced the top-left corner of the net. Pato came close to doubling their advantage just moments later but his attempt on goal was cleared off the line. Robinho then had his shot from close range rattle the post on 20 minutes. Brazil continued to control the game for the remainder of the first-half, although Gholami did threaten the Selecao’s backline on two separate occasions. Iran almost found an equaliser early in the second-half when Javad Nekounam hit the post from close range and Ramires quickly cleared the rebound off the line. However, Brazil then opened up and began to dominate proceedings and Pato eventually found the net on 69 minutes as he controlled a short pass and slotted the ball past Mehdi Rahmati. Villarreal forward Nilmar put the icing on the cake deep into injury time when he turned home a left-wing cross from close range. Karim Bagheri came on in the second-half for his last ever appearance for Iran but couldn’t inspire Team Meli. As for Brazil, it was their second successive win under coach Mano Menezes.