JOHANNESBURG: Brazil moved closer to a sixth World Cup title on Monday, beating South American rival Chile 3-0 to reach the quarterfinals.
Juan, Luis Fabiano and Robinho scored a goal each at Ellis Park.
"It was a very good performance for Brazil," playmaker Kaka said. "I’m happy with how we played. It shows that we are improving after each match, just as planned."
Center back Juan gave his team the lead in the 35th minute with a firm header from a corner, sending the ball into the upper left corner and past the outstretched arms of Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
Luis Fabiano added to the lead from a fast breakaway in the 38th, receiving a one-touch pass from Kaka and rounding Bravo before scoring into an open net. Robinho started the play with a run on the left side before finding Kaka at the edge of the area.
Robinho then scored his first goal in World Cups with a shot from the edge of the area in the 59th. Ramires’ strong run drew three defenders, and he laid the ball off for Robinho to shoot inside the far post.
"We can say that the superiority of Brazil was too much for us," Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa said. "We were unable to slow them down."
It was Robinho’s seventh goal in Brazil’s past six matches against Chile. He put his hands into the air in celebration at the final whistle, rushing to hug his teammates at midfield.
"I’m very happy with my first goal in a World Cup and with the victory of my team," Robinho said.
Brazil’s quarterfinal opponent will be the Netherlands, which beat Slovakia 2-1 earlier Monday in Durban.
"Now it’s a match between two traditional teams with great players," Brazil captain Lucio said. "Now the matches will get harder and harder."
Chile became the first of the five South American teams to be eliminated from the World Cup. Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay are still in the tournament along with Brazil.
"We leave the tournament knowing that we gave everything on the pitch," Bravo said. "We are a very fragile team at times. We attack very well, but we have to know when to defend."
Brazil has now reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup every time since the 1990 tournament in Italy, when it lost to Argentina in the second round. Brazil coach Dunga and assistant coach Jorginho were starters in that Brazil team.
"Chile played exceptionally well, they had a lot of possession of the ball," Dunga said. "But Brazil was able to have balance and control."
The victory in front of nearly 55,000 fans at Ellis Park was Brazil’s eighth consecutive win over Chile, and the result extended Brazil’s unbeaten streak against its continental rival to 10 matches. The last loss came in a World Cup qualifier in 2000.
Led by Argentine coach Bielsa, Chile was able to keep pace with the five-time champions in the beginning, threatening with some quick ball movement to try to surprise the Brazilians.
But Brazil quickly gained control of the match and created some of the most dangerous opportunities. After Juan’s first goal, the Brazilians took advantage of its speedy strikers to keep the pressure on the Chileans.
"When our opponent attacks like that, Brazil always creates a lot of chances," Luis Fabiano said. "That was exactly what happened today and we took advantage of that."
Chile was trying to advance past the second round for the first time since its home tournament in 1962, when it eventually lost to Brazil in the semifinals. Chile had also lost to Brazil the last time it reached the round of 16, a 4-1 result in the 1998 tournament in France.
Brazil again was without regular starter Elano because of a right ankle injury, while defensive midfielder Felipe Melo missed with a left ankle problem.
Chile was without several regular starters, including central defenders Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce because of yellow card suspensions, while Marco Estrada missed the match after being sent off against Spain.
