2010 FIFA World Cup: Brazil Too Hot For Chile; Play Netherlands in QF!

Brazil’s new-found efficiency and team work sees them through again!

A day of pure, classy football. We can now officially forget about yesterday’s crap and concentrate on two genuine contenders for this title. Netherlands started the day off with a laboured yet well deserved 2-1 victory over Slovakia which sees them into the last 8. Arjen Robben was back with his usual flair and creativity again! The Dutch need to be a bit more convincing from now on though because next they have to play Brazil who used style mixed with a huge amount of substance to a devastating effect tonight by beating an impressive Chile 3-0. You know what Brazil are like, they were all class! We’re now left with a mouth watering tie on July 3 where class will go up against graft, technique and hard work. What a game Brazil v Netherlands will be! Kaka vs v.Persie. Shit!

NETHERLANDS 2-1 SLOVAKIA (SLOVAKIA ELIMINATED!)
The creaters of the classy brand of total football were far from total today. But then again, they haven’t been in the 4 matches they’ve played so far. Coach van Marwijk’s tactics are simple - Win. Anyhow, Anyway. Just do not lose. That does, in other words, mean a lack of creativity and that natural talent isn’t used at its premium. The 3 main men - Sneijder, van Persie and Robben have that slightly restricted feel because all they have to do is put the ball in the net in anyway possible, not the way that they’re used to doing it. But you can’t blame the Dutch, they want a World Cup - and they’ll do anything for it. Classy football wins you recognition, not trophies. Ask an Arsenal fan! With the likes of other classy players - van der Vaart, Huntelaar and Elia on the bench, and a solid back line, Holland have conceded just 2 so far this campaign - 2 soft penalties. Brazil - on your toes!

Holland could’ve conceded early on today but Captain and star man MAREK HAMSIK who failed in mostly each of his 4 games this time round, shot just wide. Today wasn’t an exception for him. Netherlands haven’t lost for 23 games straight so it’s always gonna be a tough ask against them. And their only concern is not winning in style - England and USA, eat your hearts out! As isolated as the 3 main man were, they all had early efforts on goal and Slovakia found it hard as hell to keep up with them sometimes. The awesome ROBIN van PERSIE planted a header just wide, WESLEY SNEIJDER shot just over but ARJEN ROBBEN who they’d been missing for so long did the trick as soon as he came back! He raced onto a throghball and ran a whole half before cutting inside and shooting low and hard into goalie Mucha’s bottom left. Lovely finish, that’s what this guy can do for you! With that being the only main first half action, early in the second, Robben had another good curling effort saved. Then came Slovakia’s only 2 real efforts of the half. Hamsik blasted a shot that had to be tipped over by Stekelenburg, who a minute later saved one-on-one from Vittek - last weeks hero! van Persie should’ve finsihed the game off before being subbed off. But with a long ball over the top with 5 mins to go for DIRK KUYT, he waited and found Sneijder for an easy tap in..2-0 it was, game over. The Sloavaks left in style - a penalty for a foul by Stekelenburg. ROBERT VITTEK converted for his 4th this tourney (he’s joint top on the scoring charts!) and immediately after the ref blew for full time. Slovaks - thanks for beating Italy! Holland - great attack, even better defence. Stay this solid throughout against Brazil and that unbeaten record could go on! Fingers X’d!

Arjen Robben celebrates scoring Holland’s first on his return to first team action in a 2-1 victory - They’re in the last 8!

Match 2…Next page.