Brazil trounce Chile, set up date with Dutch

JOHANNESBURG - Five-time world champions Brazil scored twice within four minutes in a 3-0 drubbing of Chile Monday to set up a tantalising quarter-final showdown with the Netherlands.

Juan struck a header in the 35th minute and Luis Fabiano was the beneficiary of some fine passing in making it 2-0 in the 38th. Man of the Match Robinho finished off the scoring in the 59th minute at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park Stadium.

Brazil now play the Netherlands, who defeated Slovakia 2-1 earlier in the day, in the final eight in Port Elizabeth Friday.

It will be the fourth World Cup encounter between Brazil and the Dutch following Brazil’s semi-final win in 1998 and quarter-final victory in 1994. The Dutch beat Brazil in the second round in 1974.

Brazil boss Carlos Dunga made three changes to the line-up which played to a scoreless draw against Portugal in the last group game. Kaka returned from his suspension and also back in were Robinho and Ramires while Felipe Melo, Julio Baptista and Nilmar headed to the bench.

Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa swapped four players from the 2-1 loss against Spain. Carlos Carmona returned from a suspension while Ismael Fuentes, Pablo Contreras and Humberto Suazo were also inserted into the line-up to replace the suspended trio of Waldo Ponce, Marco Estrada and Gary Medel as well as Jorge Valdivia.

The return of Kaka was critically important as Brazil have not lost in their last 32 matches with Kaka in the line-up.

The first chance of the game went to Brazil with Gilberto Silva unleashing a long blast which Chile keeper Claudio Bravo did a fine job saving to corner in the ninth minute.

Neither team really created any near-distance challenges in the first half hour, and it was a set piece that put the Brazilians ahead.

AS Roma defender Juan was left way too much space to head home Maicon’s corner from the right side into the upper left corner for a 1-0 lead after 35 minutes.

And Dunga’s men went up 2-0 in the 38th on a superb counter attack: Robinho streaked down the left side and crossed to the middle for Kaka, who one-timed on to Luis Fabiano. The Sevilla striker then circled Bravo and slotted home for his third goal of the tournament and his 28th in 42 caps for Brazil.

Then Michel Bastos’s low blast went just wide of the right post in the 41st minute and Dani Alves’s free kick went just over the bar three minutes after the break.

Brazil waited to counter again and found the opportunity in the 59th: After racing down the middle some 35 yards, Ramires passed onto Robinho, who beat Bravo with a fine strike inside the far right post for his seventh goal against Chile - and 24th for Brazil.

Chile refused to give up, but substitute Valdivia sent a shot from just outside the area just over the woodwork after 66 minutes. And Brazil keeper Julio Cesar fended away Suazo’s tough shot nine minutes later.

Suazo was unlucky to hit the crossbar in the 78th minute.