MTNFootball

June 28, 2010

An impressive performance by Brazil saw them dispatch of their South American rivals Chile on Monday night, beating them 3-0 in 2010 FIFA World Cup last round of 16 match at Coca-Cola Park.

The opening minutes of the match certainly saw Chile start very positively as they looked to play attacking football in the first half, but they were quickly brought down to earth after going into the half time break two goals down.

Although Chile looked to apply the pressure early on and looked threatening in the opening five minutes, it did not take long for Brazil to settle into their usual playing rhythm.

This resulted in Gilberto Silva finding some space in the middle of the park 35-yards out from goal in the ninth minute and with the Chilean defence inviting him to shoot he did not hesitate.

The midfielder drove a powerful shot goalwards that saw Claudio Bravo at his best between the posts divining full stretch to his left to make a spectacular save.

Chile’s only real chance of the half came four minutes later when Alexis Sanchez played a good through ball for Humberto Suazo to run onto, but his shot was a timid one and Julio Cesar made a comfortable save.

Thereafter both teams seemed to be able to find space in a fast paced game, but neither was able to create any clear-cut chances on goal.

Consequently, the opening goal of the match came from a set-piece in the 34th minute when Maicon whipped in a delightful corner from the right side. Juan was the player who did brilliantly to rise above the Chilean defence to powerfully head home into the top right hand corner, 1-0.

That goal seemed to inspire confidence in the Brazilian team and thus they only had to wait a further four minutes before Luis Fabiano doubled their lead.

Kaka with a sublime little touch, on the edge of the 18-yard area, played Fabiano through on goal. Fabiano then proceeded to expertly round the keeper before slotting the ball home into an empty net, 2-0.

Chile were definitely happy to hear the half time whistle as Brazil seemed to be getting stronger and stronger as the half progressed. Some big changes would have to be made by Marcelo Bielsa’s men at the break if they were to find their way back into the game and the World Cup.

Chile did come out attacking in the second half and dominated the early proceedings, but their joy was short lived when Brazil went a third goal up in the 59th minute.

Ramires surged forward for the Brazilians with a mesmerising run from the half-way line that saw him beat three players before slipping the ball to Robinho just inside the 18-yard box. The striker was absolutely clinical with his finish curling the ball just inside the right-hand upright, 3-0.

The pattern of the game, thereafter, soon emerged as Chile pressed forward looking for some resemblance of a goal while Brazil tried to hit on the counter-attack. Neither side though could find success in the final half hour and hence the game ended 3-0.

With the win Brazil will now face their toughest test of the tournament when they take on the unbeaten Netherlands in a quarter-final match in Port Elizabeth on the 2nd July.