World Cup Qualifiers: Brazil Sambas in Santiago

Dunga seems to have been given a life for now. Traveling to Santiago `without suitcases` the Canarinhos showed glimpses of beautiful football and the promise that they can get it together. `The suitcase` is a popular Brazilian expression, which refers to dead weight players. They make the rest of the team run as if they were carrying suitcases.

No media hyped up stars the likes of Anderson, Pato, Sobis amongst others were allowed in this one. Anderson in particular had proven himself to be a bit of a suitcase without a handle in recent matches. The team was selected on merit with no regard for name or stardom.

It was pretty much do or die for Dunga and he knew it. After a string of bad results at the previous rounds and the shameful defeat to Argentina at the Olympic Games, the Canarinhos finally came up with a big win against Chile 3-0, in Santiago, and stand now two points behind leaders Paraguay.

The first half was rough, but Brazil were able to hold off their close marking hosts and took two of the four chances they created to put it beyond the reach of Chile who tried hard but lacked accuracy. Brazil took the lead in the 21st minute through a header from Luis Fabiano, who received a pass from Ronaldinho in a dead ball situation.

In minute 24 things worsened for Chile. Marco Estrada committed a foul on Diego resulting in a penalty. However, keeper Claudio Bravo managed to save Ronaldinho’s shot. With one minute left for break Lucio sent a long ball forward to Luis Fabiano who controlled well and touched it to City`s Robinho, who shot past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

Robinho showing once more that he is not just a big name - but the real deal. Marcelo Bielsa tried to change things in the second half using all his substitutes and fielding Jean Beausejour, Roberto Cereceda and Jorge Valdivia. The game seemed to get interesting for Chile when Kleber saw his second yellow card and was sent off leaving Brazil with only 10 men.

However, a few minutes later, Valdivia was sent off for a violent tackle leveling the squads at ten men each favouring the Brazilian open style. Dunga, in keeping with his disregard for stardom, sent on Flamengo`s Juan in place of Milan’s megastar Ronaldinho. Bielsa’s men did everything to at least reduce the visitors’ lead but Brazil created new chances to widen the score and they did.

On the 38th minute, Luis Fabiano managed to control another difficult ball and netted through the keeper’s legs to make it 3-0. Therefore, it ended with Dunga breathing a little lighter and still holding on to his job.