Dunga's stand-ins are too hot for Argentina

Strikes from Julio Baptista and Dani Alves, plus an own goal by Roberto Ayala, provided a victory against opposition who were widely fancied to avenge their 2004 Copa America final defeat.

Argentina were seconds away from victory in that game only to be hit by a late equaliser. Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze said it created a wound that would never heal. Last night the knife was plunged deeper.

It will be a particularly satisfying for Brazil coach Dunga, whose side have needed to learn quickly to adapt to the absence of so many star players.

Dunga was assured his job would be safe if his team did not perform at this tournament but he has faced endless criticism for producing very un-Brazilian displays here.

His decision to deploy three holding midfielders fuelled vitriol from a press and public used to a commitment to total football. But the suspension of his captain, Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva, meant he had to change his system for the final and field the more attacking Elano.

It seemed the right decision when Elano picked out Baptista to open the scoring after just four minutes.

Roberto Ayala was loitering as the ball fell to Baptista behind him and the Real Madrid forward, who spent last season on loan at Arsenal, unleashed a curling shot, which looped over Roberto Abbondanzieri into the top-right corner.

After the shock of the opening goal, Argentina came close to equalising through Juan Roman Riquelme but Doni spectacularly slapped away the Villarreal playmaker's shot from the edge of the box.

The Roma keeper again denied Riquelme - the outstanding player of this tournament - from a similar distance with 10 minutes of the first half left to play. Dani Alves came on to replace the injured Elano and the substitute's cross five minutes from the break was turned in by Ayala, who was trying to clear for a corner in his own six-yard box.

No matter what they did, Argentina could not beat Doni who had been humiliated when Manchester United beat Roma 7-1 in the Champions League last season.

Dani Alves added the third in the 68th minute, striking low across Abbondanzieri after being put through by Vagner Love.

Leo Messi, who scored a magical lob in the semi-final, never really got going and was denied a goal by the offside flag late on and Argentina's 14-year wait for a major international trophy continues.

ARGENTINA (4-3-2-1): Abbondanzieri; Zanetti, Ayala, G Milito, Heinze; Veron (Gonzalez 68), Mascherano, Cambiasso (Aimar 59); Messi, Riquelme; Tevez. Booked: Mascherano, Tevez.

BRAZIL (4-2-2-2): Doni; Maicon, Juan, Alex, Gilberto; Josue, Mineiro; Elano (Dani Alves 34), Julio Baptista; Robinho (Diego 90), Vagner Love (Fernando 89). Booked: Alex, Gilberto, Doni. Scorers: Baptista 4, Ayala (og) 40, Dani Alves 69.

Man of the match: Mineiro.

Referee: Carlos Amarilla (Paraguay).