Juan goal was all it took

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/06/2010 (5943 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — As Brazil was dismantling Chile, a couple of fans delighted the crowd by parading around the stadium with two giant gold replicas of the World Cup trophy.

Another three games like this and Brazil could be hoisting the real thing — yet again.

With an impressive mixture of symphony-like teamwork and standout individual plays, Brazil routed South American rival Chile 3-0 Monday to advance to the quarter-finals. The five-time champions will face the Dutch, who beat Slovakia 2-1 earlier Monday.

"Now it’s a match between two traditional teams with great players," Brazil captain Lucio said. "Now the matches will get harder and harder."

Brazil’s players were almost nonchalant after the victory as they shook hands and exchanged hugs. Who can blame them: reaching the later stages may as well be part of Brazil’s World Cup itinerary.

Brazil has now reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup every time since 1990 in Italy, when it fell 1-0 to Diego Maradona’s Argentina in the second round. Brazil coach Dunga and assistant coach Jorginho were starters on that Brazilian team.

The Brazilians won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups in that span.

"It was a very good performance for Brazil," playmaker Kaka said. "I’m happy with how we played. It shows that we are improving after each match, just as planned."

Chile hasn’t beaten Brazil in a decade and didn’t come close, freeing the folks in the stands to do the samba and sing as the Brazilians moved closer to holding the real prize.

Juan opened the scoring in the 35th minute at Ellis Park Stadium with a firm header from near the penalty spot off a corner kick. Luis Fabiano added to the lead in the 38th, receiving a one-touch pass from Kaka and dribbling past goalkeeper Claudio Bravo inside the area before hitting the open net.

Robinho scored his first goal in the tournament with a shot from the top of the area in the 59th minute, a one-timer into the far corner. It was Robinho’s seventh goal in Brazil’s last six matches against the Chileans.

Chile is the first South American team eliminated. Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay are in the final eight, and Paraguay plays Japan Tuesday.

The victory in front of nearly 55,000 fans extended Brazil’s dominance over Chile. It was the eighth consecutive win; the last loss to Chile was 3-0 in a 2000 qualifier for the 2002 World Cup.

"Chile played exceptionally well, they had a lot of possession of the ball," said Dunga. "But Brazil was able to have balance and control."

Led by Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, Chile kept pace with the Brazilians in the beginning, threatening with some quick ball movement on offence.

But Brazil quickly gained control of the match and created some of the most dangerous opportunities. After Juan’s first goal, the Brazilians took advantage of their speedy strikers to keep the pressure on the Chileans.

— The Associated Press

Brazil 2 1 — 3

Chile 0 0 — 0

First Half

1. Brazil, Juan 1, 34th minute

2. Brazil, Luis Fabiano 3, 38th.

Second Half

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3. Brazil, Robinho 1, 59th.

Shots — Brazil: 17; Chile: 15.

Shots On Goal — Brazil: 6; Chile: 2.

Attendance — 54,096.