Greece fail the Samba test

Mexico are unbeaten in 19 games and almost certain to qualify for the World Cup finals from the CONCACAF region. The eight-team Confederations Cup is a low-key prelude to the next year’s World Cup finals in Germany. But there was nothing laid back about Brazil’s win.

“For an opening game, I’m satisfied with our performance,” Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. “The balance was very good today. Everybody did his job, we played as a team. We’ve still got a lot to do before the World Cup, but it was very encouraging.”

Brazil pressed for most of the first half before Adriano broke through with a spectacular goal in the 41st. Standing on the right wing, he faked left and right, and then stepped into a left-footed shot that slammed into the net from 25 meters – squeezing in between Greece goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis and the post to his left.

Only 40 seconds into the second half, Brazil’s Robinho made it 2-0. After missing several chances in the first half, he scored coming down the right side, knocking the ball in off a pass from Gilberto.

Juninho entered in the 77th, and scored four minutes later on a 25-meter free-kick that curled in high to Nikopolidis’ right. “It’s a big thing just to be here. We did what we could,” Greece captain Theodoros Zagorakis said. “We could have done better but it was a great experience for us.”

Brazil were missing full-backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos and striker Ronaldo. All three are being rested. Greece were also nearly complete, featuring 18 players from last summer’s European Championship team.