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."
PHOTO: AP
"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."
PHOTO: EPA
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.
Mexico had come from behind three times to send the game into extra time at 3-3 but in the 97th minute Ballack swerved a free kick from the edge of the area past Oswaldo Sanchez.
Germany were relieved after throwing away the lead three times, and it could have been four had Luis Perez not blazed in the final minute.
petulance
Striker Mike Hanke was sent off in the 54th minute for a late tackle.
In what was supposed to be a friendly match Hanke clattered into Carlos Salcido with the ball long gone and received a straight red card for his uncalled-for petulance.
At the time of the incident Germany led 2-1 thanks to goals from Lukas Podolski (37min) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (41) but Mexico equalized again through Jared Borgetti after 58 minutes.
Robert Huth then put Germany in front for the third time in the 79th minute but Borgetti equalized with a bullet header right on target six minutes later.
But it was Ballack who had the final say, scoring his fourth goal in this competition -- the other three have been penalty kicks.
Mexico, who were exhausted after playing 120 minutes in the semifinal defeat against Argentina, will rue some defensive lapses here, but can take heart from a 1-0 win over Brazil in the group stage.
Germany, who lost the 2002 World Cup final 2-0 to Brazil, have produced some cavalier entertaining football in this competition but the number of goals conceded is a concern ahead of the 2006 World Cup.
In five Confederations Cup games the hosts have shipped in 11 goals and goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, celebrating his 80th cap, must wonder what is going on.
In his two matches at this competition he has conceded six goals, with Australia scoring three in their 4-3 defeat.
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