Brazil vs Chile, live from the World Cup, a 3-0 thrashing
Brazil owned its South American neighbor, Chile, for the better part of 90 minutes in the Brazil vs Chile match. The Netherlands, however, may be a different story.
VICTORY: Brazil's Michel Bastos (r.) and teammate Lucio celebrate the end of their 2010 World Cup second round soccer match against Chile with other teammates at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg.
Howard Burditt/Reuters
São Paulo, Brazil
Brazil breezed into the quarterfinals of the World Cup against the Netherlands with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Chile today.
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But they did it the new Brazil way, with goals from set pieces and counterattacks, not the old Brazil way, with a display of silky soccer.
Brazil never hit the heights, but they were commanding, well-organized, and never looked capable of losing.
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Chile started well and took the game to their opponents in the opening five minutes. But Brazil seized control soon after and had three long-range shots at goal within the first 15 minutes.
The first goal came from a corner in the 34th minute, when defender Juan rose to power a header into the net. It was followed four minutes later by a second on the counter attack.
Robinho brought the ball down the left wing, passed it inside to Kaká, who slipped a perfect one-touch through ball to Luis Fabiano, who expertly rounded the keeper and struck the ball into the empty net. It was a lovely move.
The third was equally lovely, but this time for the finish. With the hour mark approaching, Ramires picked up a loose ball in the center circle and rapidly strode forward almost unchallenged. He slipped the ball to an unmarked Robinho on the edge of the box and the Santos forward calmly curled the ball into the right-hand corner.
The goal ended any hopes Chile had of coming back into the game.
Robinho could have made it four with an angled strike in the 73rd minute but his shot was palmed wide. Another goal was denied with an offside call three minutes later.
Chile, looking more spritely with the entrance of Jorge Valdivia, plugged away and were unlucky not to grab a consolation goal through Humberto Suzao, who brought out a good save from Julio Cesar and also a hopeful shot hit the bar.
In the end, though, there was only one team likely to win. Brazil marches on.
Next up: The Netherlands on Friday.
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World Cup 101:
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