Day 18 World Cup Action Round-Up – Holland & Brazil set up quarter-final clash
Day 18 of the tournament saw two of the best sides left in the tournament both successfully negotiate their last 16 ties to set up a mouth watering prospect in the quarter-finals. The Netherlands are yet to show their cards as they did what was needed to see of Slovakia, while in contrast, Brazil sent a clear message to their quarter-final opponents with an impressive victory over Chile.
 HOLLAND 2
Robben, 17, Sneijder, 84
 SLOVAKIA 1
Vittek 90+ (pen)
Holland never got out of first gear, comfortably disposing of Slovakia on route to a quarter-final clash with Brazil. Arjen Robben, starting his first game of the World Cup finals put the Dutch ahead on 17 minutes, cutting inside his full back before unleashing an unstoppable low drive into the bottom corner. Slovakia looked a shadow of the side that defeated reigning champions Italy, showing a lack of ambition going forward and Holland made it to the break with their one goal lead still intact.
Robben nearly produced a carbon copy of his opening goal five minutes after the break, again causing problems cutting in off the right, this time denied at full stretch by Slovakian goalkeeper Jan Mucha. The Dutch all but secured their place in the last eight with six minutes left on the clock, Wesley Sneijder slotting home after some good work from Dirk Kuyt to double their lead. Slovakia pulled one back deep into injury time, Vittek firing home from the penalty spot for his fourth goal of the tournament. It was merely a consolation though as Holland eased through to the quarter-finals.
 BRAZIL 3
Juan,34, Luis Fabiano,38, Robinho,59
 CHILE 0
Tournament favourites Brazil turned on the style to cruise to a 3-0 win over Chile in Johannesburg. The game was evenly matched early on, Gilberto Silva coming closest for Brazil when his strike from long range was turned around the post by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. Chile, not short of attacking flair themselves, struggled to find a cutting edge in the final third despite some promising build up play. Brazil centre-back Juan eventually opened the scoring after 35 minutes, rising unchallenged to thump home from a Maicon corner. Three minutes later, a devastating counter attack was capped with Luis Fabiano rounding the goalkeeper and rolling it home to establish a two goal cushion.
Brazil wrapped it up on 59 minutes, Ramires bursting forward from midfield before laying it to Robinho who curled his effort past Bravo and inside the far post. Chile showed plenty of spirit there after and Brazil keeper Julio Cesar was called upon to deny Humberto Suazo on numerous occasions, maintaining a clean sheet as Brazil ran out comfortable victors.
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