Brazil stroll through with Ronaldinho double

By Brian Homewood

QINHUANGDAO, China (Reuters) - Ronaldinho scored twice as Brazil strolled to a 5-0 win over New Zealand at the Olympics on Sunday, while a delightful goal from Ezequiel Lavezzi gave Argentina a late win over stubborn Australia.

The wins left the South American pair with 6 points from two games in their respective groups and guaranteed both a quarter-final place with a match to spare.

African pair Cameroon and Nigeria won for the first time, Cameroon beating Honduras 1-0 thanks to a blunder by goalkeeper Kevin Hernandez and Nigeria overcoming Japan 2-1.

Argentina, with Juan Roman Riquelme controlling the midfield and Lionel Messi tormenting the Australia defense, dominated their game but failed to convert a string of chances.

They finally broke through in the 78th minute when a series of quick passes ended with Angel Di Maria floating the ball across to the far post, where Lavezzi sidefooted home a first-time shot.

New Zealand, facing Brazil with a team mainly made up of university students, were quickly in trouble when they fell behind to an Anderson goal after three minutes before Alexandro Pato headed a second just after the half hour.

Ronaldinho added a third with a free kick which found its way through the entire New Zealand defense in the 55th minute, then won and converted a penalty six minutes later.

Rafael Sobis completed the scoring in the Group C game.