Quite a paltry crowd here compared to the other Brazil matches, surprisingly. A sprinkling of neutrals are here hoping that Chile can do something against the supposed champions-in-waiting. Their task is made all the harder as they are missing three first choice players through suspension: Estrada, Medel and Ponce. They will be looking to expose the left hand side of Brazil’s defense via Alexis Sanchez who has looked really good so far in this World Cup. They have speed on the flanks, Chile, but they themselves have to be careful if Michel Bastos and Maicon launch counterattacks for Brazil. Ramires and Dani Alves are starting for Brazil in place of the injured duo of Felipe Melo and Elano.
1st half:
1st minute: Ooooh. Hottie Howard Webb is officiating. Very distracting.
4th minute: Chile start the better and have an early corner and Beausejour and Sanchez make forays on both flanks. Then Luis Fabiano is released but shoots horribly wide. Not the kind of finishing Brazilians are known for. The crowd has grown but seem slightly nervous after Brazil’s unimpressive start.
9th minute: Brazil threaten and Chile defend deeply. Two corners, and a powerful shot from Gilberto Silva saved by the keeper.
24th minute: A tight contest so far with both teams creating but lacking that final, telling ball to really open up a defense. Long range strikes from both teams, with Brazil’s on target, Chile’s not.
27th minute: As a corner comes in, Lucio falls dramatically as he’s challenged in the box. There was contact but Hottie Howard is not convinced.
30th minute: An early yellow card for Kaka, and it is deserved. Chile have a free kick in a dangerous area but it is hit into the wall. Poor execution. I wonder if Kaka will now be targeted.
34th minute: Not a Brazilian goal but still a goal. The corner comes in and Juan towers above everyone to head it in. Great header.
38th minute: Now that’s how they like to score. Robinho and Kaka combine perfectly to release Luis Fabiano in the area who rounds the keeper and slots in with ease. Chile have faded since their bright start and are not playing as well as they did against Spain. They are now down 2-0 and are facing yet another loss against Brazil, a team they have never beaten.
Half-time: Marcelo Bielsa, proud Argentine in charge of this Chile team, is fuming on the bench. I would not want to be a Chilean player facing him in the dressing room as the half finishes with Brazil 2-0 up on Chile. Brazil took a little time to get going but once they did, they looked unstoppable. There’s every chance of them now facing the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. Chile’s attack is not clicking like it did in the last few matches
2nd half:
54th minute: Chile have started brightly again but continue to have trouble getting through the defense or getting any touches in the penalty area. They are also exposing themselves on the counterattack as Kaka’s ball almost reaches Robinho as he races into the area.
58th minute: Chile are hit on a devastating counterattack and are now down 3-0. Ramires picks up the ball in midfield, makes a great run into the box and passes for Robinho to hit it first time into the corner. Lovely. Chile only looking for consolations now.
65th minute: Chile are still trying, four players pass the ball around in the box but none of them able to get a shot off. There is still plenty of time but Chile haven’t been able to score from the opportunities they create.
75th minute: Chile finally force Julio Cesar into a save as Suazo takes a shot. Robinho had just had a shot saved too from another Brazilian counterattack.
80th minute: Nothing working for Chile as a Suazo lobs comes off the top of the crossbar. Kaka comes off for Kleberson. Good news for the Dutch: third goal creator Ramires is suspended for the quarterfinal after he picks up a yellow card.
85th minute: Beausejour’s turn to shoot wide for Chile. It’s rough on them, this loss, they are a good team to watch.
Full-time: As expected, Brazil are just too strong for this talented Chilean team who once again were unable to finish the chances they had. Brazil’s defense looked much tighter this time, an ominous sign for the Netherlands. My prediction for a 1-0 Dutch win looks a little optimistic but I still think the Dutch will go through. No matter what the result, that is a match I am very much looking forward to.
Next up, Paraguay vs Japan at 7 am. I don’t expect a big crowd. Spain vs Portugal will then fight out the last of the second round matches before two days of well-earned rest for the players. And for me!
The Dark Horses 
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