Brazil produced a masterful display against Argentina on Wednesday, trouncing their old foes 4-1 to win the Confederations Cup title.
The world champions ripped the heart out of Jose Pekerman's side in the opening quarter of an hour through strikes from Adriano and Kaka, with Ronaldinho and then Adriano again completing the rout after the break.
Carlos Alberto Parreira, looking ahead to Germany next year, said: "Brazil has everything it needs for the World Cup if we play like we did tonight."
"We have made big strides towards the World Cup. This was not just another title, it was an important competition for Brazil," he said.
Pekerman, asked if this resounding loss would have a detrimental effect on his players ahead of the World Cup, replied: "After such a defeat of course you feel pain, but let us not get desperate -- if you reach the final in this competition it means the competitive levels are good enough."
Adriano, whose double made him the competition's top scorer with five goals and was named player of the tournament, said: "It was really important for us to win this as part of our preparation for next year's World Cup. I'm thrilled and proud to have won the title."
Brazil's second Confed Cup title handed them quick retribution after falling 3-1 to Argentina in a World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires last month.
It left Argentina however without a major senior title since their Copa America win in 1993.
Cicinho set up Brazil's opener when he passed to Adriano, the burly attacker curling the ball in from the right of the box in the 11th minute.
And Cicinho played a key part in Brazil's second goal when he lobbed a pitch-wide cross from the right to Robinho who in turn found Kaka lurking in the box and the AC Milan midfielder's shot sailed over keeper German Lux's head.
Juan Riquelme went close for Argentina in the opening period but they were thwarted by poor finishing and sterling work by the Brazilian defense.
Javier Zanetti came close to reducing the deficit in first-half injury time when the Inter Milan defender's shot went just wide of Dida's post.
The second half was only 60 seconds old when Brazil got their third after a sweet move started by Kaka who picked out Cicinho on the right, the defender crossing to Ronaldinho who volleyed in for his 27th goal in 60 internationals.
Brazil were toying with Argentina like a cat with a mouse, and they soon added a fourth, the result of another cross from Cicinho in the right corner with Adriano thumping his header past Lux.
Argentina's consolation came from second-half substitute Pablo Aimar, Dida unable to do anything about his 65th minute header.
Dida then saved brilliantly from Sorin while seconds later the Brazil keeper was fortunate not to concede a penalty as he blatantly barged the Villareal defender away from the ball but to the Argentine's bemusement a freekick was awarded against him.
A meeting between these Latin rivals is always a highly charged affair and even the weather contributed to the sense of drama, with thunder and flashes of lightning over the not-so-sealed roof which had a hard a job of containing the driving rain as the Argentine backline had in stopping the Brazilian attack.
Germany 4, Mexico 3
Captain Michael Ballack scored a sensational free kick in extra-time as 10-man Germany defeated Mexico 4-3 to win the Confedera-tions Cup third-place play-off on Wednesday.
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