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BELEM, Brazil, Oct 13 (Reuters): Ronaldo scored his first international goal for over a year to help world champions Brazil beat Venezuela 3-0 in their final World Cup qualifier Wednesday.
The Real Madrid forward had last scored for his country against the same opponents in Maracaibo on October 9 last year and had since played six games without hitting the target.
"I hope I don't suffer another drought as long as that one," Ronaldo said.
Adriano and Roberto Carlos scored the other goals as Brazil sneaked top spot ahead of Argentina in the 10-nation South American qualifying group.
Brazil finished level on 34 points with Argentina, who lost 1-0 in Uruguay, but have a better goal difference.
The teams have an identical head-to-head record.
Brazil had already qualified before the game while Venezuela, who finished eighth with 18 points, had already been eliminated.
Ronaldo, who finished as top scorer in the group with 10 goals, had an early chance to score when he beat his marker, only to shoot weakly at goalkeeper Rafael Dudamel.
Shortly afterwards, Adriano sent a free header into Dudamel's arms after Cafu had crossed from the wing.
In the 28th minute, however, Ronaldinho found Adriano with a cheeky chipped pass and the Inter Milan player controlled the ball superbly and placed the ball under Dudamel's body to open the scoring.
Juan Arango had Venezuela's best first-half chance when he forced Dida to make a difficult save from an overhead bicycle kick.
Ronaldinho also set up the second goal in the 51st minute, slicing open the Venezuela defence with a superb diagonal pass which found Adriano.
The burly forward slipped the ball to Ronaldo, who took out his marker with his first touch, sidestepped Dudamel and ran the ball into the net.
Ten minutes later, Roberto Carlos added the third with a trademark free kick which slipped under the goalkeeper.
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