Luis Fabiano and Kaka starred as the Selecao brushed aside Maradona's men...
BRAZILLuisao: 8.0 – Brilliantly placed header that left Andujar with little chance. Was very solid in defence and won several crucial high balls. An exciting display.
Julio Cesar: 7.5 – Couldn't do anything about Datolo's amazing strike. The Inter Milan goalkeeper always looked very secure and made a couple of important saves towards the end of the game.
Maicon: 7.0 – The Inter Milan right-back made life a living hell for Heinze. Not only was he firm in defence, but he darted forward time and time again, to further damage the Argentine defence.
Lucio: 7.5 – The Brazil captain played a perfect game. He didn't allow Argentina's attackers to get past him, and won several important high balls. Messi and Tevez couldn't deal with his frame.
Andre Santos: 6.5 – Once again proved to be an essential reason for Brazil's success. Andre Santos is a class act, and closed down Tevez and Rodriguez throughout the entire game.
Elano: 7.0 – Was well worth his place in Brazil's starting XI. The Turkey-based midfielder provided Brazil's first goal with an inch-perfect free-kick. He was very accurate with set pieces.
Gilberto Silva: 7.0 – Often criticised for simply being in the team, the low-profile midfielder intercepted several crucial balls and made a telling contribution each time he was called upon.
Felipe Melo: 6.0 – Wasn't his best performance, but a solid one. The Juventus left midfielder combined well with Gilberto Silva and Kaka, with his precise passing and movement off the ball.
Kaka: 8.5 – A sensational performance from the Real Madrid superstar. Once again demonstrated to be one of the best in the business with his speed, determination and class. His brilliant through ball split the Argentina defense and set up Luis Fabiano for Brazil's third goal.
Robinho: 5.5 – Although he wasn't close to his best, Robinho was always a handful for the Argentina defence. He made a number of clever runs that opened up space for his team-mates.
Luis Fabiano: 9.0 – Clearly Brazil's best player in a match that he will never forget. Scored twice, including an absolutely delicious chipped effort. Luis Fabiano has proven to be perhaps the most lethal striker in the world at the moment.
Substitutes
(Barca Star) Daniel Alves: 6.5 – Came close to scoring with a trademark free-kick
Adriano – n/a –
ARGENTINA
( Barca Star) Messi: 6.5 – Despite all the hype leading up to the game, the Barcelona superstar could hardly get into the game, and didn't make any of his spectacular runs. He was well marked, and was allowed little freedom.
Andujar: 6.0 – The Catania goalkeeper couldn't do anything about Brazil's three goals. He rescued his side from what easily could have been a demolishing.
Zanetti: 5.5 – Was put under so much pressure that the veteran could hardly move forward on one of his trademark runs down the flank. Looked ordinary at times, especially when it came to clearing danger from the Brazilians.
Dominguez: 5.0 – An evening to forget for the debutant. Struggled to meet high balls and was very clumsy with his feet. Couldn't deal with the speed of the likes of Luis Fabiano and Robinho.
Otamendi: 5.5 – Was Argentina's best defender by far, and was much of the reason why they didn't concede more goals. The Velez Sarsfield man showed more determination than his more experienced associates.
Heinze: 4.0 – Was at fault for Brazil's first goal. Heinze allowed Luisao to meet the ball with a free header, and before he knew it the ball was at the back of the net. Further question marks could be asked about his defending in the second half.
Rodriguez: 5.5 – Steered Argentina forward at every opportunity, but like most of his team-mates, seemed to lack confidence after Brazil's opener. He fought in the midfield, but was clearly off form.
Mascherano: 5.0 – Once again was a shadow of the player he is for Liverpool with the national team. Couldn't keep up to the pace of the game at times and often resorted to violent tackling. Was lucky not to escape with a red card.
Datolo: 7.0 – Scored an absolute screamer of a goal that left Julio Cesar with no chance whatsoever. Datolo was one of Argentina's only bright spots, especially in an attacking sense.
Veron: 6.5 – Started extremely well, as he organised the Argentina midfield and orchestrated their best attacking moves. But he seemed to tire in the second half and his free-kick deliveries left a lot to be desired.
Tevez: 4.5 – Played well below his potential. Tevez showed sparks of his genius at times, but wasn't supplied with the right services. His crosses in the first half were dangerous, but that was pretty much it. No finishing at the penalty area.
Substitutes
Aguero: 5.5 – Played the full second half, but made little impact.
Milito: 6.0 – Looked very lively when he came on, and almost found the back of the net.
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