BRAZIL - CROATIA

NOT SO BEAUTIFUL, BUT EFFECTIVE

BRAZIL 1 CROATIA 0

The Lowdown: Brazil got the job done against a Croatia team that had several golden opportunities to score. Although Brazil looked vulnerable at the back(nothing new there) they compensated with a possession game and were in control throughout. An expected result.

Match Rating: 3 out of 5. Pretty dull by Brazil's standards. Kaka's goal was superb but they committed quite a few fouls and only when Robinho came on late did they entertain the fans.

Player of the Match: Have to give it to Kaka for his wonderfully-placed shot at the end of the first half. Ronaldinho worked hard at both ends and nearly scored on a header in the second half.

Disappointment of the Match: Ronaldo. Absolutely atrocious. He had one long range shot that threatened but otherwise he never put a good touch on the ball, didn't work to get open and was booed by the entire stadium on being substituted. Croatia missed some gilt-edged opportunites. Brazil had better do some practice work on marking up when high balls come into the box.

Huh? The Croatian fans were incredible, the most passionate I've seen in this cup. They turned up in droves, sang their lungs out even when losing, set off flares in the upper terraces that gave the game an incredible atmosphere, and one of them even invaded the pitch.

The Fallout: A very expected result. You can't be too disappointed when you lose to Brazil but Croatia's game with Japan is do-or-die for both teams. Japan is still in with a shout because if Brazil beats Australia, which is likely, Japan could face off against an already qualified Brazil team with no incentive and a number of resting starters. Croatia must beat Japan as they won't relish going into a tough final match with the Aussies needing 3 points.

Extra: Ronaldo is done. I know he's an icon in Brazil and an inspiration for millions, and that he needs 1 goal to surpass Pele for the nation's all-time World Cup scorer and another one on top of that will tie him with Germany's Gerd Muller for #1 in finals history. At the moment he is rubbish and is hurting his team. Whether it's a fitness issue or a mental one is irrelevant. He needs to be benched. When Robinho replaced him in the second half there was a noticeable spark in the team as the little magician made some lovely runs and drew a host of fouls to set up free kicks. Fatso has had his day in the sun, now it's time to make way for a better player.