Samba Boys find rhythm

BRAZIL’S relentless march to the latter stages of this World Cup continued with an effortless victory over Chile last night.

A team combining a potent mix of physique, power and mouthwatering ability were hugely assured in a one-sided dismissal of their fellow South Americans to line up a quarter-final with the Netherlands on Friday.

The boys in the famous yellow and blue were in control from virtually the first whistle and goals by Juan, Luis Fabiano and Robinho confirmed their status as tournament favourites.

It has been no easy run for Brazil – they emerged from a ‘Group of Death’ unscathed and with reputations enhanced, and on this evidence the Dutch need to produce a massive display to challenge Dunga’s men.

A delighted Dunga said: “Some people doubted that we would perform but as we go along that confidence is growing and growing and we hope to make it to the final.”

Striker Luis Fabiano added: “We are doing well as a team, we are improving ball possession and we are able to create good play.”

When asked about the Dutch, Fabiano said: “Holland? We have discovered that we have great qualities, if we play like this then we can go very far.”

Kaka remains Brazil’s talisman and the Real Madrid midfielder was impressive on his return from suspension – though he managed to pick up his third booking of the tournament after referee Howard Webb was unimpressed with his trip on a Chile player, and it concerns Dunga.

“It is a problem – I don’t want Kaka to be out suspended,” he said. “We are going to talk about this with Kaka. It is a concern but we don’t want to get bogged down with the issue.”

After Juan had opened the scoring, punishing Chile for their failure to deal with Brazil’s aerial threat at a corner from Maicon, Kaka was heavily involved in the second goal.

Robinho began the move with a burst down the left and an early ball into Kaka in the middle. One brilliant first-time pass split the Chile central defenders and left Fabiano able to skip past keeper Claudio Bravo to finish.

The goal made up for Fabiano having dragged his shot wide after being put in the clear by a super ball from Dani Alves.

Brazil had almost drawn first blood earlier through Gilberto Silva, proving not for the first time that Arsene Wenger committed a rare blunder in disposing of his services two years ago, who hit a long-range effort that Bravo turned aside.

Chile’s main hope looked to be through the creative instincts of their gifted 21-year-old Alexis Sanchez, a player being watched by a clubs, including Manchester United. The Udinese player produced a series of decent touches – one lovely pass for Humberto Suazo promised much but the striker produced a disappointing effort to lob Julio Cesar.

Brazil took the foot off the gas at half-time, so minimal was the threat posed by Marcelo Bielsa’s side, but still extended the lead.

Robinho struck just before the hour, curling it effortlessly past Bravo but he had Ramires to thank after a blistering run by the Benfica midfielder.

Alves hit a thunderbolt just wide, before Jorge Valdivia came as close as Chile managed, teeing himself up and then firing just over from the edge of the box.

Kaka nearly claimed the goal his performance deserved but was just off target.

Bravo kept the score respectable by denying Robinho as Brazil ran out easy winners.

Subs for Brazil: Nilmar for Luis Fabiano 76, Kleberson for Kaka 81, Gilberto for Robinho 85.

Subs for Chile: Tello for Contreras 46, Valdivia for Gonzalez, Millar for Isla 62.