It was business as usual today at the World Cup, England were just a memory as Holland and Brazil marched on.
Holland 2, Slovakia 1
They are a very economical side the Dutch, always just doing enough to get through, you keep hoping there may be more of the old sexy football to come. Arjen Robben finally started a game for the orange army and soon made his mark. Sneijder welcomed him with a perfect pass and Robben ran at the Slovakian defence and unleashed a 25 yard drive low into the goal. The dynamic duo were joined by Van Persie, although he could only put a weak header wide he contributed much to the offfensice threat.
In the second half the Slovakians continued to be outshone but at least Stoch tested Dutch keeper Stekelenburg who tipped it over and Vittek had a go but put his shot straight at the keeper. Sneijder ensured the win with a neat finish from a Kuyt cutback. It took Slovakia until injury time to find the net, and that was via the penalty spot, Vittek was brought down in a scramble of bodies but got up to grab the consolation.
Brazil 3, Chile 0
I was expecting a little more from Chile but faced with Brazil, it’s like standing between two big blokes in the gents and finding you just cant go. Lucio was well through for Brazil when brought down by Contreras but no penalty was given. Never mind, a few minutes laterMaicon, not just a brilliant full back, floared in a corner for Juan to head into the goal. Then the best move of the game saw Robinho carve Chile open, lay off to Kaka, and his pass found Fabiano perfectly placed to score the second.
Brazil have added a steel to their flair and crushed the life out of Chile giving them few chances. In the second half, born again Robinho added a well taken goal from the edge of the area after 59 minutes and Brazil coasted after that.
