So you are a defender for Chile and you are playing the game of your life and you are realizing that, in a soccer sense, your life isn’t worth much. Because Brazil is squeezing the oxygen out of you, its unrelenting, high-pressure offense giving lie to the notion that this is somehow a more conservative Brazil. You want conservative? Okay, Brazil scored its first goal in the totally conventional way, off a corner kick, with Juan rising high to meet the cross and nod home. Even England could have done that. But Brazil’s second and third goals were the products of samba soccer. There was a three-way move from Robinho to Kaka to Luis Fabiano that picked the lock of Chile’s offside trap and left Fabiano alone before the net. The conclusion was never in doubt. 2-0 Brazil. Chile was finished, left to try to reduce the damage, which it did credibly. Still, Robinho was there to complete the evening with a perfect right-footed finish after Ramires pounced on the ball at midfield, dribbled 30 yards and delivered it to his foot.
The three goals demonstrated Brazil’s full arsenal, which will be brought to bear against Holland, a 2-1 winner of Slovakia. The Dutch were less than convincing in beating Solvakia, and the defense did not inspire confidence. Against their next opponent—Brazil— even playing the game of their lives may make them second best.