Brazil coasts into World Cup second round with 3-1 win
A World Cup match involving Brazil bears a different vibe than the other in the tournament. It's not just a game; it's an event. Everything is magnified.You see the difference in the rush of activity on the access roads seven hours before kickoff, in the burst of camera flashes and in the balloons floating from the upper deck. You hear it in the waves of drums and song, a rhythm rudely interrupted by the vuvuzela scourge.
After making its 2010 debut in a side theater last week, the green-and-yellow ensemble took center stage Sunday evening at Soccer City Stadium, the mammoth showcase of this South African World Cup.
With Kaka orchestrating the attack before his late ejection and Luis Fabiano scoring twice, Brazil rolled to a 3-1 victory over Ivory Coast in front of 84,455 spectators.
While Germany, England, Italy and France -- holders of nine World Cup titles among them -- are in danger of missing the elimination stage and European champion Spain slipped in its opener, the five-time champion Selecao needed just its first two matches in Group G to secure passage to the round of 16.
"The Brazilian team can go the whole way," Ivory Coast Coach Sven Goran Eriksson said. "To beat Brazil, you have to be almost perfect."
Brazil (2-0) has not played with the grace and artistry of past campaigns, but with Dunga, the team's coach, preaching substance, discipline and power, that method wasn't necessarily in the script.
With the latest triumph, Brazil continued South America's unbeaten stroll through the tournament, a 7-0-2 record produced by its five participants. Brazil also further exposed the shortcomings of Africa, which is 1-7-4 and facing the embarrassing prospect of losing all six teams in the first round.
Ivory Coast (0-1-1) was the continent's best hope for long-term success with a lineup that boasted five players from English Premier League clubs, including Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. His right forearm in a cast that was hidden by a green sleeve, Drogba made his first start since suffering a fracture in the Elephants' final tune-up.
He had played the final 24 minutes of the scoreless draw with Portugal, and posed the greatest threat to Brazil, which labored to a 2-1 victory over group lightweight North Korea in its opener.
The Elephants showed promise at the start, using pace in midfield to create mild chances and clinical tackling to interrupt Kaka's runs. But in the 25th minute, the Real Madrid star combined with Robinho and Fabiano to produce the first goal.
Capping an eight-touch possession, Robinho pushed the ball to Fabiano, who back-heeled to Kaka. In tight space, Kaka broke away from one defender and beat Didier Zokora before slotting a pass past Kolo Toure to Fabiano for a ferocious eight-yard shot from an acute angle. The ball streaked over goalkeeper Boubacar Barry and hit the roof of the net.
There was more to come five minutes into the second half, when Fabiano beat Siaka Tiene to a header, chipped the ball over Zokora and then did the same to Toure. In settling the ball, however, Fabiano appeared to use his right arm before striking a low shot into the right corner for his 27th goal in 40 international matches. When the Elephants protested, French referee Stephane Lannoy tapped his chest to indicate a fair play.
When asked if he had handled the ball, Fabiano started laughing before saying, "It hit my shoulder but it was a beautiful goal, like a painting."
Brazil added another goal in the 62nd minute as Kaka beat Toure to the end line and crossed back to Elano, who had gotten a step on Siaka Tiene and tapped in from eight yards for his second goal in two matches.
Drogba scored in the 79th on a 10-yard header, and although the outcome had long been decided, the Elephants had some fight left in them. The match unraveled, however, with unnecessary challenges, theatric falls and several confrontations.
Kaka received a yellow card in the 85th minute, and with the tone becoming nastier, he elbowed Kader Keita in the chest. For dramatic effect, Keita reached for his face and crumbled to the ground. When the commotion died down, Lannoy sought out Kaka and showed him a second yellow and a red card, which will prevent him from playing in the group finale against Portugal.
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