Four-time champions Brazil served up a World Cup masterclass to tournament debutants China today, turning on the style in a 4-0 victory.
Goals from each member of Brazil's 'Triple R' strike-force - Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho - plus a scorching free-kick from Roberto Carlos secured an easy win for the in-form South Americans.
The result leaves Brazil top of Group C and all but guaranteed a place in the last 16 with only a match against Costa Rica to come. China play Turkey in their final game.
China had gone into the encounter anxious to avoid a rout but their worst fears came true in 90 painful minutes as Brazil strolled to victory.
Time and again China were sliced apart by Brazil's attackers, to the dismay of thousands of Chinese fans inside the Seogwipo Stadium who had hoped for a miracle.
Ronaldo's goal on 55 minutes completed the scoring, though Brazil had several chances to increase their victory margin throughout the second half.
Rivaldo swept a majestic long ball out to Cafu on the right flank, who danced past his marker before squaring to the unmarked Ronaldo who tapped in from close-range.
The match had been wrapped up long before then, Brazil surging into a 3-0 half-time lead. They went ahead with a stunning Roberto Carlos free-kick from 25 metres on 15 minutes, the Real Madrid star sending a left-footed thunderbolt rocketing past the diving Jiang Jin into the net.
The Brazilians doubled their goal tally on 32 minutes through a simple move which split the Chinese defence. A clipped cross from the left flank by Ronaldinho found Rivaldo lurking in the six-yard box and the Barcelona star finished clinically.
On the stroke of half-time Brazil made it 3-0 when Ronaldo was hauled down in the box by China defender Du Wei, Ronaldinho stepping up to convert the spot-kick.
China, missing injured skipper Fan Zhiyi and key defender Sun Jihai, had begun the match brightly and got the first shot on goal through Qi Hong.
But it was a fleeting excursion into Brazilian territory and for most of the match China were firmly on the backfoot. Hopes of a goal were raised in the second half when Zhao Junzhe rattled the woodwork with a curling shot, but it was the nearest China came.
AFP