Brazil Move On, Chile Move On Home

Brazil 3-0 Chile

Well, we were always going to lose one of our sides tonight after fate put Brazil and Chile together in the Round of 16 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. The Seleção recalled Kaká after suspension and in the absence of the injured Felipe Melo, Ramires got a run in the starting line up as did Robinho who was rested for the Portugal game. The two teams of course, had met in qualification with Brazil winning both games and this would have given the Seleção the mental advantage over the Chileans. Marcelo Biesla though, plays the game he wants to and with the Seleção defence not really being tested too much so far in the competition was this the night that things could all go wrong for Dunga.

Chile made a bright opening to the game, forcing an early corner but the Seleção soon put their stamp on the game. To be fair to both side the opening half an hour was probably as entertaining as any of the other games that had taken place in the competition so far but it was the Seleção who took the lead in a very English fashion on 34 minutes. Maicon with the corner for Brazil and Juan rose highest to head home. This coming moments after Kaká found himself booked by referee Howard Webb for a clumsy challenge. The Seleção doubled the lead four minutes later after Robinho and Kaká combined to tee up Luís Fabiano, who went round the keeper to roll the ball into an empty net.

Marcelo Bielsa wasn't going to give this up easily and made a double change at half time, bringing Tello and Valvida on as they desperately searched for a way back into the game. But the Seleção were in total control and Júlio César was a virtual spectator for most of the second half. Brazil wrapped things up on the hour, Ramires taking the most of his opportunity with a mazy run through the Chilean defence and laid it off to Robinho to curl home the clinching goal from the edge of the box. Chile though wouldn't give up and kept pressing forwards but there were too many passes rather than someone taking control and pulling the trigger.

Luís Fabiano, Kaká and Robinho were all hauled off by Dunga with the next round in mind and he took the chance to give Série A regulars Kléberson and Gilberto some game time, whilst Nilmar got a chance to impress briefly but as hard at the Chileans tried they couldn't find a way past Júlio César. The Seleção now move onto Port Elizabeth where the Netherlands lie in wait on Friday afternoon (UK) as the FIFA World Cup really does come alive. We do though bid farewell to Chile, the first CONMEBOL side to depart this competition, but their contribution will not be forgotten.

Highlights are again courtesy of the official FIFA website. These are subject to local restrictions. We recommend our UK readers use the BBC Website.