A glamour friendly against the South Americans could hardly have come at a better time for the Republic's beleaguered officials but the promised sunshine football hardly flowed and only the Real Madrid striker could lift the gloom.

The Republic did not disgrace themselves with Kevin Doyle heading onto the roof of the net when the game was goalless and wide men Aiden McGeady and the returning Damien Duff both impressing.

But on Thursday the Brazilians will jet off to warmer climes and leave caretaker boss Don Givens to face more searching questions about the attempts to find a successor to Steve Staunton.

Brazil coach Dunga had named a stronger than usual starting line-up including the likes of Chelsea's Alex and Arsenal's Gilberto, but rugged Republic defending largely kept them at bay.

In front of a colourful travelling support, the Brazilians had their best chance in the seventh minute after Robinho was fouled by Lee Carsley but Diego's free-kick was saved low by Shay Given.

The visitors predictably dominated possession but lacked some of their usual sparkle, Robinho resorting to a spectacular long-range volley in the 18th minute which soared over Given's bar.

The Republic could be reasonably happy with their start, with McGeady flourishing in the space afforded him in the left flank and their tenacity in central defence keeping the visitors at bay.

John O'Shea did well to deflect another Leonardo Moura cross from the right out for a corner while Luis Fabiano broke through but was ruled narrowly offside again as Brazil continued to press.

The game was yet to catch alight in near-freezing conditions although there was no shortage of sweat amongst the Republic backline as they continued to suffocate most of the Brazilian attacks inside their box.

McGeady produced a moment of magic in the 37th minute when he skipped around two Brazilian defenders and fired a deep cross which Luisao did well to hack out of the six-yard box.

At the other end, Josue drove straight at Given from a tight angle at point-blank range but there remained precious little for the samba-drumming visiting support to get excited about.

Fabiano sought to lift the spirits with a clever curling shot three minutes before the break but with Given frantically back-pedalling the ball dipped just the wrong side of the post.

The Republic almost grabbed the lead out of nothing in the 49th minute when captain Robbie Keane cut the Brazilian defence in two with a brilliant through-ball but it was just too strong for the clear Duff and keeper Julio Cesar got their first.

And Givens' men enjoyed their best spell of the match just before the hour mark, with Kelly's right-wing cross setting up a chance for substitute Potter who mis-kicked in a central position.

Moments later Kevin Kilbane sent in a more lofted ball from the opposite flank towards Doyle, but although the Reading man got his head to it he directed it onto the roof of the net.

As the game belatedly sprang into life, Given tipped a close-range Fabiano effort over the bar and Julio Baptista drove a low effort narrowly wide of the keeper's right-hand post in the 62nd minute.

Leonardo set up the onrushing Fabiano only to see him shoot into the side-netting, before the visitors finally took the lead in typically effortless fashion in the 66th minute.

Diego swept forward on a counter-attacking move and played in Robinho who tricked the retreating Carsley before sending a delicate effort through the midfielder's legs and across Given into the corner of the net.

The Republic rallied in the dying minutes with substitute Stephen Hunt almost playing in Keane before the Tottenham man found himself free in the six-yard box only for Julio Cesar to react quickest and save.