Samba Beats Salsa As Brazil Dance Past Not So Hot Chile

Brazil saw off the challenge a rather shocking Chile  side to secure a very tastey quarter-final tie against theDutch at Port Elizabeth on 2 July.

The Selecao defeated Chile 4-2 and 3-0 in World Cup qualifying – and Dunga’s team eased to a comfortable victory  today as their opponents became the first South American team to be eliminated from the competition.

Chile, were always up against it after conceding twice in four minutes shortly after the half-hour mark.

Juan opened the scoring with a lovely fine header and Luis Fabiano poped the ball into an empty net to complete an attacking move of class precision as Brazil took another step towards another World Cup title.

A precise right-foot finish from the edge of the area saw Robinho, who had a later effort ruled out for offside, open his account at the tournament in the second half.

Chile, as with Mexico against Argentina on Sunday, really took the contest to their opponents in the opening minutes.

Marcela Bielsa’s side have won many admirers in South Africa with their quick-fire, skilful brand of attacking football but apart from a weak Humberto Suarez shot that Julio Cesar easily collected they had little end product to show for their bright start.

Brazil, with Dani Alves superb on the right of midfield, gave Chile no room to breath and gradually took control of the contest.

They should have been awarded a penalty when Lucio was brought down by a late tackle from Pablo Contreras but eventually took the lead through Juan’s header from Maicon’s corner.

The Brazil defender was left unmarked – and his goal clearly rattled Chile, whose increasingly erratic passing prevented them from picking any holes in their opponents defensive structure.

The win was already sealed and was in the bag, when Brazil scored their second four minutes after Juan’s header with a goal of wonderful movement.

Robinho cut inside before playing a square ball to Kaka, who delivered a beautifully weighted first-time pass that Luis Fabiano, in an on-side position, collected before easing past Claudio Bravo and slotting the ball into an empty net.

The striker almost doubled his tally with a glancing header that flew wide, but Robinho sealed victory just before the hour mark with his precise finish after the impressive Ramires finished a surging run with a precise pass. Ramires was later booked and will miss the match against the Dutch.

Brazil slowed the pace of the contest but attacked in occasional  bursts that saw Robinho come close to a second goal on two occasions.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.