Post by Salem6 on Jun 30, 2005 5:18:45 GMT
Brazil overpowered old foes Argentina 4-1 to claim the Confederations Cup.
The World Cup holders were two goals ahead within the first 16 minutes, Adriano's thunderous shot deceiving German Lux to give them the lead.
If Adriano went for power, Kaka's goal for the second was all about placement, his precise shot giving Lux no chance.
Ronaldinho volleyed home the third, Adriano headed in the fourth, before Juan Pablo Aimar's diving header pulled a goal back for a lacklustre Argentina.
Brazil were too sharp for Argentina in attack and were also more efficient in midfield and more assured in defence than their South American rivals.
Lucio was outstanding in central defence, even finding time to almost score with an audacious free-kick just before half-time, while full-back Cicinho played a part in all four goals.
Those early two goals owed much to some impressive build-up play.
For the first, Lucio's elegant pass found Cicinho, who slipped the ball into the feet of Adriano.
The Inter Milan striker dropped his shoulders to go past Gabriel Heinze and then unleashed a shot which flew past Lux.
Brazil's second was even better, both in construction and finish.
Once again Cicinho was involved, the Brazilian full-back picking out Robinho with a sweeping pass from right to left.
Robinho fed the ball to Kaka, who placed a perfect shot past Lux into the corner of the net.
Argentina twice went close, Brazilian goalkeeper Dida just getting to the ball before Cesar Delgado, while a Juan Riquelme shot went narrowly wide.
But it was Brazil who continued to create chances with monotonous regularity, and all to often score them.
Two minutes into the second half, Ronaldinho arrived in the penalty area to volley a Cicinho cross past Lux.
Soon after, Robinho drifted in from the left to rattle Lux's crossbar as Argentina struggled to contain a rampant Brazil.
Their fourth goal was initiated by more Lucio trickery, the Bayern Munich defender gliding past a succession of tackles before finding Robinho on the left wing.
The ball eventually reached Cicinho on the other flank and his cross was headed in powerfully by Adriano.
The header ensured the Inter Milan finished the tournament as top scorer with five goals.
Substitute Aimar bravely headed in Argentina's goal following Javier Zanetti's cross, while shots from Diego Placente and Carlos Tevez tested Dida.
Brazil's win was their 34th victory over Argentina, one more than their rivals in the 89 games between the two sides played since 1914.
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4630169.stm