World Cup 2010

Brazil 4-2 Chile: Nilmar Bags A Hat-Trick For The Selecao

The Villarreal striker bags three and leaves Chile some work to do to qualify...

Sep 10, 2009 4:55:59 AM

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Nilmar, Villarreal (MARCA)

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Villarreal striker Nilmar bagged his first international hat-trick to fire Brazil to victory over Chile, but the Selecao didn't make it easy for themselves in a rainsoaked Santiago de Bahia.

Brazil were without a number of key first team players that featured in Saturday's win over Argentina. Juan, Julio Baptista and Nilmar replaced the suspended trio of Lucio, Kaka and Luis Fabiano, whilst Adriano stepped in for the injured Robinho.

Chile would have received the absence of Luis Fabiano an Robinho well, considering they scored the goals in their last encounter in Santiago last September.

Barcelona's Daniel Alves, who started his career in the Estadio de Pituacu, came into the side in place of Elano. Alves almost got his dream goal early on, but his long range effort was well saved by Chilean custodian Claudio Bravo.

On a slippery surface in Salvador, Chile took a while to settle in, and just as they were getting to grips with their slick Brazilian opponents, Nilmar pounced to put the Canarinha's in front after 31 minutes of play. The Villarreal front man volleyed home a stunning effort, connecting perfectly with a long free-kick.

Julio Baptista made it 2-0 with five minutes remaining in the half, but Chile grabbed a late goal from the penalty spot, just before the break in a frantic end to the first half. Humberto Suazo scored from the spot to give Chile hope moments later, after Felipe Melo brought Alexis Sanchez down in the area.

The Brazilian's looked extremely comfortable in the first 45, but their slender half-time lead was even more fragile when Melo saw red shortly after the interval. The Juve midfielder was given his marching orders following a nasty lunge on Sanchez once again.

Chile seized the initiative against the ten men of Brazil, and Humberto Suazo bagged his second of the night, finishing off a fine move from close range to restore parity after 52 minutes

Brazil coach Dunga introduced Elano and Diego Tardelli in place of Andre dos Santos and Adriano, and the ten men of Brazil soon turned the tie around with two quickfire goals from Nilmar.

The striker pounced on a defensive lapse from the Chileans to fire his side in front from close range with fifteen minutes remaining, and just moments later he was at it again, securing his first international hat-trick and giving his side a two goal cushion.

Moments later Alexis Sanchez saw red for a second bookable offence to make the numbers even once again, however to their credit, the visitors kept trying, as the substitute Jorge Valdivia nearly scored a wonderful solo effort late on. In the end though, the Brazilians were too good, and managed to hold on for a 4-2 victory.

A win for Brazil sees them remain in top spot of the South American standings, whilst Chile drop to third in the group, needing victories from their remaining games against Colombia and Ecuador to secure their place at the World Cup.

Paul Madden, Goal.com

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