World Cup 2010: Brazil 3-0 vs Chile - Juan, Fabiano and Robinho Take Brazil to Victory
Two goals within the space of 4 minutes virtually decided the fate of this second round tie between Chile and Brazil. Although Chile got off to the better start, putting pressure on the 5 times World Cup winners, they were unable to break the Brazilians down. When the Brazilians finally had their spell of pressure, they broke through the Chilean defence, not once but twice.
In the first 20 minutes, the Chileans had the majority of the possession, with Sanchez looking very impressive on the right side. The Chileans were very energetic and tried not to give the Brazilians any space at all to move the ball. Through this tactic, they had successfully managed to keep the central attacking threat of Kaka and Robinho under control.
However, it took a set-play to break the deadlock and not the trickery of either Kaka or Robinho. The marking was virtually non-existent for Juan's goal in the 34th minute, but it was still a great leap from the Brazilian full-back, and then a powerful header which went beyond the reach of the Chilean goalkeeper, Bravo.
The goal came at a crucial stage in the half, as the Brazilians were starting to gain a foothold in midfield, with their characteristic one touch passing in midfield. Most of the play was going through the right flank, with Maicon working particularly hard to try and penetrate the Chilean defence.
The second goal came on a counterattack when Robinho was fed the ball down the left. He turned and saw Kaka's run just on the edge of the penalty area. Kaka laid the ball on a plate for Fabiano with a sublime first touch through ball which Fabiano took around the goalkeeper, before slotting it into the back of the net.
With the score at 2-0, it looked like there was no coming back for the Chileans, who were perhaps unlucky to be going to their dressing rooms 2-0 down after playing so well in the opening stages.
The Chile coach made two changes at half time in hopes of turning the game around. Gonzalez, who looked like he was carrying a knock, was replaced by Tello and Valdivia came on for Contreras.
The Chile team continued to attack throughout the second half, plugging away at the Brazilian defence, but to no avail. The Brazilian defenders used all their experience and skill to nullify every single attack and on the rare occasion that the Chileans managed to break through, their finishing left a lot to be desired.
If there was any doubt about who was going to win the game, it was pushed aside in the 59th minute when Robinho scored a wonderful goal, curling his shot past Bravo into the back of the net. Bad defending once again by the Chileans, who allowed Ramirez to run almost half the length of the pitch to their penalty area where he found Robinho, who slotted the ball into the goal with his first touch.
The match ended 3-0 for the Brazilians, who established themselves as firm favourites to lift the trophy after a near perfect performance against a strong Chilean side. The quarterfinal will present a tougher test against the Netherlands, but the Brazilians will back themselves on the basis on this performance to quash the Dutch hopes of a first World Cup.
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