Kaka's sending off mars Brazil's victory over Ivory Coast

Brazil showed their true World Cup colours on Sunday, turning on the style to beat Ivory Coast 3-1 in Group G with two goals from Luis Fabiano to secure their place in the last 16.

But Brazil's delight was marred when playmaker Kaka was controversially sent off for a second yellow card two minutes from time.

Their first three shots on target produced three goals — two from Luis Fabiano after 25 and 50 minutes, although there was a suspicion of handball about his second goal — and the third from Elano after 62 minutes.

Ivory Coast skipper Didier Drogba headed his team's goal in after 79 minutes as coach Dunga's men largely outclassed the Africans for their 18th win in their last 20 internationals.

Brazil have now secured their place in the last 16 no matter what happens in Monday's clash between Portugal and North Korea in Cape Town.

The Brazilians played well within themselves as they brushed aside the Ivorians.

An otherwise poor first half only came to life when Luis Fabiano lashed the ball high into the roof of the net past goalkeeper Boubacar Barry.

A smart back-heel and a fortunate one-two with Kaka led to the goal while Luis Fabiano showed some nice individual skill, and got the benefit of two dubious handballs for his second 25 minutes later.

"The first goal Brazil scored was very good," Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said after the game.

Eriksson was, however, less happy about Fabiano's second.

"We were unlucky there and the referee didn't see that [the handballs]. It shouldn't have been allowed," he said.

Fabiano's double ended a lean spell for the Brazilian.

"[Coach] Dunga always talks to me and gave me confidence. It was very important the confidence everybody showed in me," the striker said.

Midfielder Elano, who scored in Brazil's opening 2-1 win over North Korea, made it 3-0 12 minutes later after Kaka crossed from the left leaving him with a simple tap-in from close range.

Elano was taken off on a stretcher shortly afterwards with a shin injury and the Ivory Coast rallied towards the end of the game and had several chances to narrow the deficit.