MARACAIBO, Venezuela, July 15 (Reuters) - Brazil produced a ruthlessly efficient performance to beat old rivals Argentina 3-0 on Sunday and win the Copa America for the second time in a row.

Brazil stung Argentina with a fourth-minute goal from Julio

Baptista then Argentina captain Roberto Ayala, making his 115th

appearance, put through his own goal before halftime.

Although Argentina had more possession, Daniel Alves added

a third as Argentina coach Alfio Basile, who won the 1991 and

1993 tournaments in a previous stint, lost a Copa America match

for the first time in a run spanning 19 games.

It was a bitter pill for Argentina, who lost on penalties

to the same opponents in the 2004 final and were favourites to

win this time against a Brazil team missing Kaka and

Ronaldinho, who asked to be rested.

Argentina had scored 16 goals in five games before the

final while Brazil lost to Mexico in the group stage and needed

a penalty shootout to beat Uruguay in the semi-finals.

Argentina were also attempting to end a 14-year title

drought stretching back to their 1993 Copa America title under

Basile.

With the temperature at kickoff time around 32 Celsius and

the tropical sun still burning, a cagey opening had been

expected but instead Brazil snatched a quick lead.

A long crossfield ball by Elano found Julio Baptista on the

left and, as Ayala held off, the player known as 'the Beast'

advanced menacingly and unleashed a shot into the top right

hand corner.

Argentina nearly produced a quick reply when Juan Roman

Riquelme rifled a shot against the post five minutes later.

The number ten was close again in the 35th minute but his

shot was brilliantly turned away by Brazil goalkeeper Doni.

But Argentina's usual flowing game was interrupted by

systematic Brazilian fouling in midfield, while their defence

always looked shaky against Brazil's counterattacks.

Maicon nearly added a second in the 17th minute when

Roberto Abbondanzieri fumbled his low shot and the same player

forced Javier Zanetti to clear off the line one minute later.

Five minutes before halftime, Daniel Alves, who replaced

the injured Elano, produced a dangerous inswinging cross from

the right and Ayala turned the ball into his own net.

Brazil continued to frustrate Argentina after halftime as

goalkeeper Doni and Gilberto were both booked for time-wasting.

And as Argentina struggled to impose their style, Brazil

produced the killer punch as Vagner Love broke down the left

and fed Daniel Alves, who scored with a clinical shot into the

bottom right-hand corner.