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Leandro Damiao scored his first international goal as Brazil beat 10-man Ghana in an international friendly at Fulham's Craven Cottage.

Damiao ran on to a defence-splitting ball from Fernandinho and found the corner of the net from a tight angle.

It was one of the few highlights of a largely poor game in which Ronaldinho returned for his first international outing in nearly a year.

Ghana never threatened after Daniel Opare was sent off in the 32nd minute.

English referee Mike Dean handed out eight cards, one of them red after Opare was somewhat harshly shown a second yellow just after the half hour mark for clipping Lucio on the follow through.

Goalscorer Damiao, who Tottenham were interested in signing this summer, also finished off a brilliant passage of play started by the excellent Neymar but the linesman flagged the 22-year-old offside just after he had tapped the ball past Ghana goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey.

AC Milan star Pato then came off the bench and saw a well-timed header superbly tipped over.

Brazil boss Mario Menezes' recall of Ronaldinho, making his first appearance in 10 months, also paid off as the 31-year-old offered glimpses of brilliance and came close to scoring with an outstanding free-kick just before full-time.

The result eases the pressure on Menezes, who came under fire for his team's quarter-final exit from the Copa America.