Although a freaky slow start from Brazil, but they are back in action with more power and sharpness which truly showed in their game against Ghana. A 3-0 victory which was a bit unconvincing but yet preferred and forecasted.

Ronaldo created world record of 15 goals and made his critics bite their nails once and for ever. Ronaldinho, Kaka, Adriano all seem to be in full touch of game ready for the Quarters. It was good to Ronaldo sprinting and making mess out of Ghana’s goalkeeper with superb leg show and making sure that it is done in style. Although Ghana fought superbly they lacked experience, finishing touches and the right striker.

Ronaldo took just five minutes to go past Gerd Muller’s tally of 14, latching on to Kaka’s through ball and rounding Richard Kingson to slot home. Adriano tapped in Cafu’s cross and Ze Roberto ran through to wrap it up while Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan was sent off. John Mensah had the Africans’ best chance, but Dida saved his header. Brazil will now meet France in the last eight on Saturday in Frankfurt at 2000 BST. The scoreline was perhaps a touch harsh on Ghana, who recovered from a horror start to match their more illustrious opponents. It was a start made more remarkable by the African side’s defensive naivety than Brazil’s attacking prowess, as twice in five minutes they got caught out at the back.  

After all the criticism, it was yet another record-breaking goal for the peerless Real Madrid man. Still Ghana failed to learn. Ze Roberto found Adriano in acres of space only for the striker to fluff his lines, trying to round Kingson but falling to the floor and being booked for a dive. Brazil began strolling - if they needed a reminder they were in a game Matthew Amoah’s 20-yard drive that flew just wide should have done the trick. But it did not seem to, as Amoah shot straight at Dida and then Gyan turned Lucio superbly before rifling over on the stretch from 12 yards. Two minutes before half-time, they had a golden chance to level. Mensah rose unchallenged from a corner, but to Ghana’s dismay his bullet header struck Dida’s leg and bounced away from danger. Just before the break they were punished when Brazil launched a quick counter-attack and Cafu crossed for a seemingly offside Adriano to bundle home.  

Gyan was sent off - his second yellow card was for diving - Brazil did not look like adding to their tally, a Pantsil header at his own goal a rare venture into the Ghana penalty area. But with 11 against 10 they stepped up the pace and Ghana’s misery was compounded when substitute Ricardinho floated a ball over the top and Ze Roberto flicked it past Kingson, ran round him and rolled into an empty net. The defending champions are slowly but surely clicking into gear at this World Cup finals. It was good to see Brazil stars fit and fine and firing from all sides, God is merciful as Brazil is not having Rivaldo which would have certainly made other sides a misery.