Brazil bash Chile to reach World cup qtr finals

Brazil bashed their way past Chile scoring 3 goals to 0 in their last 16 clash for a place in the upcoming quarter finals.

 

Brazil have now set up a spicy quarterfinal tie with Holland at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday at 4pm.

 

Brazil had all their big guns available and on display including their star Kaka who returned to action after missing the final group match against Portugal in Durban last Friday that ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw.

 

They were simply too good for their fellow South American opponents and were never in any trouble through the 90 minutes.

 

Chile who have lost on the last seven meetings against Brazil were never really in this match. Brazil had control form the start and never let go.

 

But Brazil showed patience in their build up play by teasing the Chileans and it was only a matter of time before they got their breakthrough.

 

Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo pulled off a stunning save from a 30 metre rocket from Gilberto Silva in the eighth minute as Brazil upped the pressure looking for an early goal.

 

Chile's Spanish based striker Humberto Suazo found himself in space and only keeper Julio Cesar to beat but hurried his shot which went straight into the arms of the grateful Brazilian keeper.

 

Despite dominating play, Brazil and their fans in the capacity crowd had to wait until the 34th minute to take the lead. As Roma defender Juan rose above the Chile defenders and headed home a brilliant goal from a Maicon corner.

 

No sooner had the cheering died down from the Brazil fans in the 54 096 strong crowd when Kaka showed why he is regarded as one of the best midfield players in the world.

 

The Real Madrid star threaded through a brilliant ball to Luis Fabiano that left the Chile defence for dead.

 

Luis Fabiano, the Spanish based centre forward also showed superb skills by rounding Bravo and planting the ball into the empty net four minutes later to make it 2-0 and all but seal Brazil's path into the quarterfinals.

 

Brazil defender Michel Bastos nearly made it 3-0 in the 41st minute but his left footed drive flew fractionally wide of the woodwork.

 

Brazil continued from where they left off in the first half and came close again to increasing their lead two minutes after the restart but Dani Alves, the Barcelona defender hit a wicket free kick over the Chile upright.

 

But the third goal in the 59th minute was world class and one of the best seen in the World Cup so far.

 

Ramires, the Benfica midfielder raced through the Chile defence as if there was no opponents in front of him, laid off the ball to Robinho who put the cherry on top with a brilliant finish giving Bravo no chance and putting the game well out of Chile's reach at 3-0.

 

Then three minutes later Alves tried his luck from range but his shot flew narrowly past the upright.

 

Another good save from Brave denied Robinho a second goal in the 74th minute when the unsettled Manchester City striker beat the offside trap, cut inside and then unleashed a thunderous shot but was foiled by more good goalkeeping form Bravo.

 

Robinho's performance will have the top clubs in Europe rushing for their cheque books with City reportedly keen to sell their English record signing. City paid a British record of 32 million pounds for Robinho in 2008.

 

Suazo forced Cesar into action for the first time in the second half when the Brazilian keeper did well to take no chances and palm the Chilean striker's 75th minute shot for a corner.

 

Suazo then hit the crossbar in the 78th minute as Chile tried to regain some sort of pride.

 

So on top were the five time world champions Brazil that head coach Dunga had the luxury of replacing Kaka in the 81st minute and saving him for the battle against Holland on Friday.

 

Kleberson replaced Kaka as Brazil started to wind the game down and coasted until the final whistle.