An almost full-strength Brazil team made a sloppy start at Harare's National Sports Stadium but picked up the pace to earn a comfortable victory with less than two weeks to go before its World Cup debut.
The five-time world champion had a scare when first-choice goalkeeper Julio Cesar went off with a back injury in the 26th minute. The Champions League winner with Inter Milan left the field walking, though, and team doctors said it did not appear to be a serious injury and that the goalkeeper was taken off as a precaution.
Left back Michel Bastos opened the scoring with a powerful free kick in the 41st minute for his first Brazil goal, winger Robinho added a second from inside the penalty area in the 44th and midfielder Elano wrapped things up from close range in the 56th.
It was Brazil's first warmup since arriving in Africa to begin its World Cup preparations. It will face Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on Sunday in its final match before opening its campaign against North Korea in Johannesburg on June 15.
Brazil coach Dunga was satisfied with how Brazil played.
According to the Brazilian confederation, he said the team met expectations for a match just five days into the team's preparations in South Africa.
Brazil, wearing a blue strip, made too many passing errors early on and encountered problems at the back against 110th-ranked Zimbabwe, which will not be playing in the World Cup.
The African side had two great chances to open the scoring as President Robert Mugabe watched from the stands. Ovidy Karuru missed an open goal in the 19th by shooting over the crossbar, and Knowledge Musona's header in the 27th was just kept out by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who had come on for Julio Cesar.
Brazil quickly bounced back and scored twice before halftime.
Michel Bastos, who plays as a winger for French club Lyon, blasted home a left-footed free kick from just outside the area before Robinho ran onto a long pass by right back Maicon to score with a first-time finish from inside the area.
In the second half, Elano grabbed the third after a cross by substitute Daniel Alves but Brazil, which made six substitutions in all, was unable to add to the scoring.
Michel Bastos was delighted to open his account for the national team.
"It was a sensational feeling," he said. "I was able to take advantage of the chance I had. The World Cup starts today for me." Brazil started with most of the players expected to be in its first-choice lineup, with the exception of Thiago Silva, who replaced Juan in central defense. Juan was not fully fit and was rested by the Brazilians.
Brazil hadn't played since its friendly win against Ireland in March.
"It was a good match, but we still have to improve a little," Elano said.
It was the first time Zimbabwe played Brazil, and several players asked to take photos with the Brazilians when the match was over. Public workers had been given the afternoon off to watch the match.
"It was nice to see the people so happy in the streets and in the stadium," Dunga said. "It shows how much people like and respect the Brazilian national team around the world."
