Ronaldinho, Maicon star in Brazil's win over Algeria

Montpellier (France): Maicon and Ronaldinho scored second-half goals to give Brazil a 2-0 win over Algeria in a friendly international.

Maicon nodded in a corner kick from Ronaldinho in the 63rd minute, and the Barcelona playmaker doubled the lead in the 81st with a low angled shot after Diego's initial shot rebounded off goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui.

"It's a pleasure to come back in France, have a good game, and help the Selecao," Ronaldinho said.

Brazil dominated ball possession in the first half but failed to convert that into goals.

Maicon connected with Robinho in the sixth, but the Real Madrid forward's curling drive was punched away by Gaouaoui.

The Algeria goalkeeper then denied Elano in the eighth, and blocked an angled shot from Julio Baptista in the 30th.

Mineiro slipped a through ball to Vagner Love in the 34th, but Gaouaoui rushed outside his area to stop the CSKA Moscow striker.

Algeria retaliated on counterattacks.

Set up by Karim Ziani, Rafik Saifi broke the offside trap in the 23rd. But Saifi lost his one-on-one dual against goalkeeper Doni, who tackled the ball as the Lorient forward attempted to dribble past him.

Ronaldinho and Kaka came off the bench in the second half to boost Brazil's offense.

Ronaldinho had a curling free kick on target in the 47th, but Gaouaoui made the save. The Barcelona playmaker crossed the ball to Kaka in the 60th but the AC Milan midfielder's volley from the edge of the box was diverted by defender Ismael Bouzid.

Algeria had opportunities to score a consolation goal in the second half but lacked the finishing touch.

Karim Matmour stole the ball in midfield in the 57th to shoot from the edge of the box, but Doni made the save.

Nadir Belhadj's cross from the left flank in the 68th found Saifi in the area but his header went wide.

The Montpellier friendly was Brazil's first match after its victory in the Copa America last July in Venezuela.

Brazil will face the United States on September 9 and Mexico on September 12 before starting 2010 World Cup qualifying in October.