Internazionale full-back Maicon headed home the opener just after the hour mark from a Ronaldinho corner.

And the Barcelona schemer - a second-half substitute - turned goalscorer when he added the second with nine minutes remaining.

The result maintains the Selecao's 100% record in matches against the north Africans, who had goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui to thank for keeping the score down.

The South Americans, who began the match having won their three previous games against Algeria, dominated the first half without breaking the deadlock.

Gaouaoui denied Real Madrid forward Robinho from close range in the sixth minute, and then kept out an effort from Manchester City midfielder Elano moments later.

After Maicon had fired over from long range, Algeria finally launched a meaningful attack - Lyon defender Nadir Belhadj connecting with a Larbi Hosni centre but seeing his shot just go over.

Brazil finished the half the stronger with Julio Baptista bringing the best out of Gaouaoui before strike partner Vagner Love blew a one on one, the Algeria goalkeeper again proving unbeatable.

Brazil coach Dunga introduced big guns Kaka and Ronaldinho for the second half, and within minutes the latter had fired a free-kick straight at Gaouaoui.

The Copa America winners' pressure eventually told in the 63rd minute from a corner gained after Gaouaoui had tipped aside Fernando's long-ranger.

The resulting set-piece saw Ronaldinho pick out Maicon, whose header went in off the near post.

Ronaldinho then killed the game off with the second, stroking home a rebound from a narrow angle after Gaouaoui could only palm aside Diego's effort.