PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — Goals from Chelsea midfielder Oscar, Lazio's Hernanes and Lucas Moura from the spot saw Brazil beat France 3-0 Sunday to ensure the French ended its brief trip to South America without a win or a goal. Having drawn with England 2-2 at the official unveiling of the refurbished Maracana stadium, Brazil prepared to host the Confederations Cup in style with a comfortable victory. For France it was more disappointment following its 1-0 reverse against Uruguay four days earlier. The result was no more than Brazil deserved in a match in which it was by far the better side against limited opponents with limited ambition. Brazil was typically dominant but struggled to find a finishing touch in the first half. Zenit St Petersburg striker Hulk was dangerous down the right and on one occasion cut inside on to his favorite left foot but blazed over. New Barcelona signing Neymar used his tricks and speed to dazzle the visiting defense but he was wayward with his finishing, sending a free-kick straight into the wall before too clearing the bar with another effort. Oscar tricked his way down the right on the outside of full back Jeremy Mathieu and picked out Neymar at the back post but Mathieu Debuchy recovered just in time to whisk the ball off the Brazilian striker's toe and prod it behind. Neymar was coming in for some rough treatment as a close-up of his sock near the end of the first period showed a huge hole. Yet it was Brazil defender David Luiz who was the first to be penalized for his aggressive approach as he was booked for hacking through the back of Karim Benzema. Cameroon slips up Guinea beat Mozambique 6-1 in Africa's final playoffs for the World Cup after doubles from France-based striker Sadio Diallo, Mohamed Yattara and Ibrahima Traore but must win at home to Zimbabwe next to prevent Egypt progressing to the playoffs with a game to spare. In Group I, Cameroon slipped to a 2-0 loss at bottom-place Togo in Lome to allow Libya back into contention. Cameroon and Libya both have six points after four of six games. It was new Cameroon coach Volker Finke's first game in charge, although he was missing injured striker Samuel Eto'o. Mali needed a 77th-minute equalizer by Mahamadou Ndiaye for a 1-1 draw at home to Rwanda, giving Algeria a two-point lead and the impetus at the top of Group H after its 3-1 win in Benin. African Cup of Nations finalist Burkina Faso won 1-0 in Niger Sunday. Africa goes straight to its penultimate round of group qualifiers next week with Ethiopia, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Zambia, Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Libya and Senegal in pole position for places in the decisive playoffs, which will ultimately decide Africa's five finalists at Brazil next year. South Africa, Ghana, African Cup semifinalist Mali and four-time continental champion Cameroon are in danger of missing out. Security issues in Libya have, meanwhile, forced its qualifying match against Togo Friday to be switched to Tripoli from Benghazi. — Agencies
