SAN CRISTOBAL (Venezuela), Oct 13: Robinho scored two goals to lead Brazil over Venezuela 4-0 Sunday and into second place at the halfway point of South American qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

Kaka returned from an 11-month absence from Brazil’s national team to open the scoring in the 6th minute after a pass from Robinho, sending the ball beyond Venezuela goalkeeper Renny Vega.

Four minutes later, Robinho shot powerfully from 30 meters (yards) into the upper left corner. Adriano added a goal in the 19th at Pueblo Nuevo stadium and Robinho slipped the ball passed Vega in the 67th.

Venezuela’s Ronald Vargas said his teammates were demoralized by “the two big goals” in the first ten minutes, while striker Jose Manuel Rey lauded Robinho and Kaka.

“They are the type of players who make the difference,” Rey said.

Brazil has won 18 of its last 19 matches against Venezuela.

Venezuela’s closest scoring opportunity came in the 52nd minute, when Giancarlo Maldonado broke through the defense to be one-on-one with Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar who blocked the shot.

Sunday’s victory allowed Brazil to bounce back from a frustrating 0-0 draw against Bolivia and secure second place in the 10-team standings with 16 points friom nine games — four behind leader Paraguay.

The loss was the fourth straight defeat for Venezuela, which has 7 points and has never qualified for the World Cup finals.

Results from South American zone World Cup qualifiers:

Sunday:

Venezuela 0 Brazil 4 (Kaka 6, Robinho 10, 67, Adriano 19)

Ecuador 1 (Benitez 71) Chile 0

Saturday:

Colombia 0 Paraguay 1 (Cabanas 9)

Argentina 2 (Messi 6, Aguero 13) Uruguay 1 (Lugano 40)

Bolivia 3 (Botero 4, 16, Garcia 81) Peru 0.—Agencies