Samba boys turn on style
Brazil's relentless march to the latter stages of this World Cup continued with an effortless victory over Chile.
A team combining a potent mix of physique, power and mouthwatering ability were hugely assured in a one-side dismissal of their fellow South Americans to line up a quarter-final with Netherlands on Friday.
The boys in the famous yellow and blue were in control from virtually the first whistle and goals by Juan, Luis Fabiano and Robinho confirmed their status as tournament favourites.
It has been no easy run for Brazil - they emerged from a 'Group of Death' unscathed and with reputations enhanced, and on this evidence the Dutch will need to summon up the spirits of past greats if they are to challenge Dunga's men.
Kaka remains Brazil's talisman and the Real Madrid midfielder was impressive on his return from suspension - though he managed to pick up his third booking of the tournament after English referee Howard Webb was unimpressed with his trip on a Chile player.
After Juan had opened the scoring, punishing Chile for their failure to deal with Brazil's aerial threat at a corner from Maicon, Kaka was heavily involved in the second goal.
Robinho began the move with a burst down the left and an early ball into Kaka in the middle. One brilliant first-time pass split the Chile central defenders asunder and left Luis Fabiano able to skip past keeper Claudio Bravo and finish.
The goal made up for Luis Fabiano having dragged his shot wide after being put in the clear by a super ball from Dani Alves.
Brazil had almost drawn first blood earlier through Gilberto Silva, proving in this match and not for the first time that Arsene Wenger committed a rare blunder in disposing of his services two years ago, who hit a fierce long-range effort that Bravo turned aside at full stretch.
Chile's main hope looked to be through the creative instincts of their gifted 21-year-old Alexis Sanchez, a player being watched by a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester United.
The Udinese player certainly provided Brazil with something to think about with a series of decent touches - one lovely pass for Humberto Suazo promised much but the striker did not match up with a disappointing effort to lob Julio Cesar.
Brazil could afford to take their foot off the gas at half-time, so minimal was the threat posed by the Marcelo Bielsa's Chileans, but they still managed to extend their lead.
Robinho was the man to strike just before the hour mark, curling it effortlessly past Bravo but he had Ramires to thank after a blistering run by the Benfica midfielder.
Alves hit a thunderbolt that must have had Bravo worried but it drifted just wide, before Jorge Valdivia came as close as Chile had managed to a reply, teeing himself up and then firing just over from the edge of the box.
Kaka nearly claimed the goal his performance deserved after a surge down the left by Michel Bastos but was narrowly off target.
Bravo kept the score respectable by denying Robinho and then Suazo neatly turned Lucio - and not many players have done that this tournament - but Julio Cesar beat away his strike.
The game was up for Chile however and Dunga rubbed salt in the wound by taking off Kaka and sending on Kleberson - the player who flopped so dismally at Manchester United - to illustrate Brazil's overwhelming superiority.
It has been no easy run for Brazil - they emerged from a 'Group of Death' unscathed and with reputations enhanced, and on this evidence the Dutch will need to summon up the spirits of past greats if they are to challenge Dunga's men.
Kaka remains Brazil's talisman and the Real Madrid midfielder was impressive on his return from suspension - though he managed to pick up his third booking of the tournament after English referee Howard Webb was unimpressed with his trip on a Chile player.
After Juan had opened the scoring, punishing Chile for their failure to deal with Brazil's aerial threat at a corner from Maicon, Kaka was heavily involved in the second goal.
Robinho began the move with a burst down the left and an early ball into Kaka in the middle. One brilliant first-time pass split the Chile central defenders asunder and left Luis Fabiano able to skip past keeper Claudio Bravo and finish.
The goal made up for Luis Fabiano having dragged his shot wide after being put in the clear by a super ball from Dani Alves.
Brazil had almost drawn first blood earlier through Gilberto Silva, proving in this match and not for the first time that Arsene Wenger committed a rare blunder in disposing of his services two years ago, who hit a fierce long-range effort that Bravo turned aside at full stretch.
Chile's main hope looked to be through the creative instincts of their gifted 21-year-old Alexis Sanchez, a player being watched by a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester United.
The Udinese player certainly provided Brazil with something to think about with a series of decent touches - one lovely pass for Humberto Suazo promised much but the striker did not match up with a disappointing effort to lob Julio Cesar.
Brazil could afford to take their foot off the gas at half-time, so minimal was the threat posed by the Marcelo Bielsa's Chileans, but they still managed to extend their lead.
Robinho was the man to strike just before the hour mark, curling it effortlessly past Bravo but he had Ramires to thank after a blistering run by the Benfica midfielder.
Alves hit a thunderbolt that must have had Bravo worried but it drifted just wide, before Jorge Valdivia came as close as Chile had managed to a reply, teeing himself up and then firing just over from the edge of the box.
Kaka nearly claimed the goal his performance deserved after a surge down the left by Michel Bastos but was narrowly off target.
Bravo kept the score respectable by denying Robinho and then Suazo neatly turned Lucio - and not many players have done that this tournament - but Julio Cesar beat away his strike.
The game was up for Chile however and Dunga rubbed salt in the wound by taking off Kaka and sending on Kleberson - the player who flopped so dismally at Manchester United - to illustrate Brazil's overwhelming superiority.
MATCH SUMMARY
Man of the Match: Juan - While Brazil's attacking trio will take all the plaudits again, the big centre back deserves his share of the praise after another impeccable game in defence. Juan opened the scoring for the Selecao with a prodigious leap and firm header, but he should also be commended for his positioning and reading of the game, which allowed him to snuff out a string of attacking moves launched by Chile's quick strikers. Will need to maintain this sort of form as the competition nears its final phase.
Brazil verdict: The five-time World Cup winners are looking formidable. Though this was a game they fully expected to win, they did so in a manner befitting their pedigree. The protective screen of Gilberto Silva and Ramires limited Chile to few chances, yet both underlined their attacking instincts too. With Kaka regaining a semblance of form, Robinho looking reborn and Luis Fabiano in clinical mood, Dunga's side underlined again that they are the team to beat in South Africa.
Chile verdict: Sadly, being neat and tidy in possession means little unless you can unlock the defence in front of you. As with their game against Spain, Chile moved the ball intelligently, and with pace, but couldn't open up a mean Brazil defence. Their gung-ho style caught up with them for two of the three goals; their lack of height the other. They can go home proud of their efforts, and knowing they were beaten by one of the tournament's firm favourites.
Could do better: Mark Gonzalez - The former Liverpool winger underlined why the club were happy for him to leave. Despite seeing plenty of the ball in positions which could have hurt Brazil, his delivery was consistently poor. Moves broke down at his feet and the confidence he must have taken from his match-winning goal against Switzerland seemed to have evaporated.
Stat attack: Brazil are undefeated in 33 games under Dunga when Kaka and Robinho have played together, winning 29 and drawing four.
Man of the Match: Juan - While Brazil's attacking trio will take all the plaudits again, the big centre back deserves his share of the praise after another impeccable game in defence. Juan opened the scoring for the Selecao with a prodigious leap and firm header, but he should also be commended for his positioning and reading of the game, which allowed him to snuff out a string of attacking moves launched by Chile's quick strikers. Will need to maintain this sort of form as the competition nears its final phase.
Brazil verdict: The five-time World Cup winners are looking formidable. Though this was a game they fully expected to win, they did so in a manner befitting their pedigree. The protective screen of Gilberto Silva and Ramires limited Chile to few chances, yet both underlined their attacking instincts too. With Kaka regaining a semblance of form, Robinho looking reborn and Luis Fabiano in clinical mood, Dunga's side underlined again that they are the team to beat in South Africa.
Chile verdict: Sadly, being neat and tidy in possession means little unless you can unlock the defence in front of you. As with their game against Spain, Chile moved the ball intelligently, and with pace, but couldn't open up a mean Brazil defence. Their gung-ho style caught up with them for two of the three goals; their lack of height the other. They can go home proud of their efforts, and knowing they were beaten by one of the tournament's firm favourites.
Could do better: Mark Gonzalez - The former Liverpool winger underlined why the club were happy for him to leave. Despite seeing plenty of the ball in positions which could have hurt Brazil, his delivery was consistently poor. Moves broke down at his feet and the confidence he must have taken from his match-winning goal against Switzerland seemed to have evaporated.
Stat attack: Brazil are undefeated in 33 games under Dunga when Kaka and Robinho have played together, winning 29 and drawing four.
