Brazil Brush Aside Chileans To Set Up Holland Clash

Tuesday, 29th June 2010 at 10:07am

Five-time world champions Brazil produced their best performance of the finals to date; overcoming South American rivals Chile at Ellis Park in Johannesburg by three goals to nil.

Prior to the match, Dunga's men had been subject of criticism from fans and pundits back home for a solid rather than spectacular set of performances in their opening three fixtures.

This is a team very much in Dunga's image, but his stars threw off the shackles last night and comfortably dispatched a good Chile side that had impressed many with some fast paced, attacking football.

Like Mexico against Argentina, Chile made the brighter start against their highly fancied opponents but it was Brazil that struck first as towering centre half Juan headed his side into the lead.

Four minutes later, striker Luis Fabiano doubled Brazil's lead to give the Samba Boys a two-goal advantage.

After the restart, Manchester City striker Robinho opened his account for the tournament to give Brazil a 3-0 and had a later effort ruled out for offside as Dunga's men cruised to victory.

In the earlier fixture, the Netherlands continued their perfect start to the finals, winning their fourth straight match against Italy's conquerors Slovakia.

The Dutch have now won every single World Cup match since qualifying began in 2008 and are now unbeaten in 23 matches.

Making his first start of the tournament, Arjen Robben gave the Netherlands the lead when he cut in from the right touchline and fired a left foot shot past the Slovak 'keeper.

The Netherlands controlled the majority of the match but had to wait until the 84th minutes for a second goal as Dirk Kuyt rolled the ball into the path of Wesley Sneijder who stroked the ball home.

Deep in stoppage time, Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenberg, after having previously made two outstanding saves when the score was 1-0, conceded a penalty and Robert Vittek scored his fourth goal of the tournament in what was the last action of the game.

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