Brazil laid down a marker here at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg as they eased past Chile 3–0 and into the quarterfinals of the World Cup where they will face Netherlands on Friday.
Strong in defense, flamboyant in attack, they now look the complete side. There is not a hint of complacency, and they competed for every ball tonight until the very last moment.
Chile started both halves brightly, showing pace, inventiveness, and great passing ability, but always ran into an impenetrable sea of yellow shirts. Once on the counterattack, Brazil was devastating.
Much has been made about Brazilian coach Dunga’s chosen formation, but there can be few now who dare to criticize it. Two holding midfielders enable the attack to push forward with freedom, and the defense to remain calm under pressure.
And the great asset for Brazil is the strength in depth. With crucial defensive midfielder Felipe Melo injured, Ramires came in seamlessly and conducted himself with equal discipline and vigor.
There is a gritty determination about this Brazil side that will delight their manager. Despite a slow start they looked dangerous at set pieces, and it was from a corner that they got their breakthrough goal.
Although Chilean coach Marcelo Bielsa cannot be disappointed with this team’s effort, he will be unhappy about the poor marking which allowed the excellent Brazilian central defender Juan to rise up unchallenged and powerfully head into the goal in the 35th minute.
Pushing forward just three minutes later, Chile were ruthlessly exposed. Robinho burst down the right wing, passing into Kaka whose lovely first time cushioned pass fell perfectly for Luis Fabiano. The Brazilian center forward made no mistake as he bagged his third goal of the tournament, gracefully skipping round Chilean goalkeeper Bravo and slotting it into the empty net.
Despite good possession and movement Chile could not find a way back into the game. Michel Bastos handled well the threat of Alexis Sanchez on the right flank, and Jean Beausejour looked lively on the left side all night but could not create a goal scoring opportunity. And when Chilean top scorer Humberto Suazo finally maneuvered some space in the penalty area with a great turn and shot, Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar was on hand with a smart save.
Whilst pushing forward Chile were always likely to leave themselves vulnerable to the counter attack, and just before the hour mark Ramires strode powerfully though the center of the park, taking the ball from the halfway line to the Chilean penalty area before releasing Robinho, who placed it expertly in to the far corner of the net.
Even at 3–0 Brazil did not relax. Their tackling was sharp and bright, and even Robinho could be seen all the way back deep in his own half to help regain possession.
Chile had a couple of late half chances, a Suazo volley into the ground that hit the top of the bar and a good shot from Beausejour in the last 10 minutes, but Brazil never looked shaky.
The quarter final against Holland on Friday has the makings of a modern classic, and who now would argue against a Brazil–Argentina final? The FIFA 2010 World Cup is just beginning to hot up.
Strong in defense, flamboyant in attack, they now look the complete side. There is not a hint of complacency, and they competed for every ball tonight until the very last moment.
Chile started both halves brightly, showing pace, inventiveness, and great passing ability, but always ran into an impenetrable sea of yellow shirts. Once on the counterattack, Brazil was devastating.
Much has been made about Brazilian coach Dunga’s chosen formation, but there can be few now who dare to criticize it. Two holding midfielders enable the attack to push forward with freedom, and the defense to remain calm under pressure.
And the great asset for Brazil is the strength in depth. With crucial defensive midfielder Felipe Melo injured, Ramires came in seamlessly and conducted himself with equal discipline and vigor.
There is a gritty determination about this Brazil side that will delight their manager. Despite a slow start they looked dangerous at set pieces, and it was from a corner that they got their breakthrough goal.
Although Chilean coach Marcelo Bielsa cannot be disappointed with this team’s effort, he will be unhappy about the poor marking which allowed the excellent Brazilian central defender Juan to rise up unchallenged and powerfully head into the goal in the 35th minute.
Pushing forward just three minutes later, Chile were ruthlessly exposed. Robinho burst down the right wing, passing into Kaka whose lovely first time cushioned pass fell perfectly for Luis Fabiano. The Brazilian center forward made no mistake as he bagged his third goal of the tournament, gracefully skipping round Chilean goalkeeper Bravo and slotting it into the empty net.
Despite good possession and movement Chile could not find a way back into the game. Michel Bastos handled well the threat of Alexis Sanchez on the right flank, and Jean Beausejour looked lively on the left side all night but could not create a goal scoring opportunity. And when Chilean top scorer Humberto Suazo finally maneuvered some space in the penalty area with a great turn and shot, Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar was on hand with a smart save.
Whilst pushing forward Chile were always likely to leave themselves vulnerable to the counter attack, and just before the hour mark Ramires strode powerfully though the center of the park, taking the ball from the halfway line to the Chilean penalty area before releasing Robinho, who placed it expertly in to the far corner of the net.
Even at 3–0 Brazil did not relax. Their tackling was sharp and bright, and even Robinho could be seen all the way back deep in his own half to help regain possession.
Chile had a couple of late half chances, a Suazo volley into the ground that hit the top of the bar and a good shot from Beausejour in the last 10 minutes, but Brazil never looked shaky.
The quarter final against Holland on Friday has the makings of a modern classic, and who now would argue against a Brazil–Argentina final? The FIFA 2010 World Cup is just beginning to hot up.
