Brazil's final fixture before they depart for the World Cup finals in the summer yielded what their manager, Dunga, most prizes yet it was also gilded by what their supporters demand. To the beat of the samba drums at Emirates Stadium, the five-times world champions got both result and performance, as Ireland were overrun in the second half.

With Kaká easing into scintillating touch, Brazil might have added more goals to the lucky one that they plundered on the stroke of half-time, when the Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews put through his own net and a late strike from Robinho. Yet they were happy enough with their work-out and the message they sent to the 40,082 crowd, which included the England manager, Fabio Capello, and a wider television audience was clear.

Anyone who beats Brazil in South Africa will most probably be crowned as champions. Dunga is the arch-pragmatist and there remain mutterings about his team lacking sufficient flair. He prefers warriors to magicians. One banner in the crowd seized upon the nation's biggest talking point by asking "Where are Ronaldinho and Pato?" Ronaldinho's exclusion, in particular, is mystifying when Adriano is in the team.

The big Flamengo striker seems to be enjoying the good life in Rio and he was substituted to boos from the Brazil fans. Dunga even appeared to close the door on the Milan duo fighting their way back into the squad, although injuries could always force a rethink. "Everybody has had the chance to show what he can do," Dunga said. "Both Ronaldinho and Pato have had this chance, and now things are decided."

The balance of the team is more important to Dunga than stereotypical Brazilian fantasy. Many commentators in Brazil feel that he has the finest back four in recent memory, in which Lúcio calls the tune, while Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo offer reassurance in front of them. And any team which has Kaká can never be considered dull. It remains one of the greatest pleasures in football to see him on song. Brazil showed their menace in the second half and Robinho was central to the cut and thrust. "Robinho is a lot happier now that he has left Manchester City and gone back to Brazil and Santos," said Dunga. "You can see that he is happy again."

Ireland matched their illustrious rivals throughout the first half. Giovanni Trapattoni's team have shown that they are no respecters of reputations and they rattled Brazil with their high-octane pressing game. Kaká was among the Brazilians to take exception to the close attentions of those in green.

Brazil needed a stroke of fortune to take a lead into the interval. After Kaká had found Maicon, the full-back played in Robinho, who had broken from an offside position but escaped the flag. His low cross was diverted past Shay Given by Andrews. Brazil, however, changed up impressively through the gears in the second half. Daniel Alves missed a sitter moments after coming on while Robinho threatened twice before he got the goal that he deserved, a curled finish following Grafite's flick. Ireland had no answers. Brazil will travel to South Africa with confidence.