A quick fire brace of first half goals helped Brazil overcome Chile 3-0 and so, finally reduce the South American contingent in South Africa from five, to four.
A bullet header from Juan set the wheels in motion after 34 minutes, the centre half working himself into a unmarked position and emphatically converted the corner from Maicon into the roof of the net.
Just as they did upon conceding in their last game against Spain. Chile panicked and composure in possession and defence was lost. It took Brazil just four minutes to double their lead and deliver a hammer blow to Marcelo Bielsa's side.
Robinho exposed some newly discovered space on the left flank and cut back to Kaka who, instinctively, slotted through a pass to Luis Fabiano. The Sevilla front man first, timed his run to perfection. Beating the offside trap before, nervelessly rounding Claudio Bravo and finishing.
Led by Lucio, Brazil were imperious in defence, easily able to soak up the pressure and attack intermittently on the break. Robinho put the game beyond all doubt on 59 minutes, curling a shot from the edge of the box after a breathtaking forward burst from Ramires.
Right from the off, Brazil tried to impose their great history in this competition upon Chile. Incisive passages of play led to early chances not taken by Fabiano, Gilberto SIlva and Kaka.
Las Rojas fought back in their own inimitable style, but from set-pieces, Brazil looked the more likely to turn attacks into goals and their double tap came on 34 and 38 minutes. But prior to that, frustration had threatened to curtail their progress to a sixth World Cup.
Kaka was harshly booked, Maicon appealed for a free kick and Lucio for a penalty, but Howard Webb thought both had tumbled too easily to punish Chile.
Maicon's response to the disappointment was exemplary, a pinpoint corner finding Juan, who opened the scoring. That goal was a lightning rod to the doubt within the Chilean players. Just minutes later they were torn apart by Robinho, Kaka and Fabiano, who had all marauded into the six yard box by the time the latter had hit the back of the net to give his side a comfortable 2-0 half time lead.
To begin the second period, Bielsa, the man known as "El Loco," sent on even more attacking players. Tello and Valdivia's introduction signaled that; Chile would not be going home wondering "what if." But against a concrete Brazilian defence, it just was not 'Loco' enough to work.
To overturn the two goal deficit Chile needed Alexis Sanchez to show more of the promise which lit up the group stage. However, Michel Bastos was single minded in his quest to nullify the number seven. Instead, Brazil's own precociously talented winger came to the fore.
Having a much quieter game than his previous displays this month, Robinho was well placed to reap the benefits of of Ramires' hard graft. The midfielder, starting in place of the injured Felipe Melo, intercepted the ball on the half way line before storming forward in a dribble, which left white shirts trailing in his wake. Just as he looked to be hitting a cul-de-sac, Ramires was able to nip the ball left to the Manchester City man, who made the finish from the edge of the box look effortlessly simple.
But the night will end on a bitter-sweet note for Ramires, as he earned a yellow card which will rule him out of the quarter final showdown with the Netherlands.
With half an hour still on the clock, the Samba Boys were able to ease off the throttle. Robinho the most intent on increasing the gap, with a powerful shot well saved and another ruled out after he strayed offside. Chile had Julio Cesar most worried when Humberto Suazo mis-hit a volley onto the top of the crossbar.
The Inter stopper could have been forgiven for thinking ahead to how he may react to the threat of Arjen Robben and co In Friday night's quarter final with the Oranje. A clash of sides who built reputations on free flowing football but at this tournament have both made conscious efforts to 'win ugly' when it is required.
Brazil (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos, Gilberto, Ramires, Alves, Kaka (Kleberson '81), Robinho (Gilberto Melo '85), Luis Fabiano (Nilmar '75).
Chile (3-4-3): Bravo, Fuentes, Isla (Millar '62), Contreras (Tello '45), Jara, Carmona, Vidal, Gonzalez (Valdivia '45), Sanchez, Suazo, Beausejour.
Referee: H Webb (ENG)
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