Costa Rica 2 Brazil 5
Brazil were exhilarating in attack but showed frailties in defence today as they topped World Cup Group C with an emphatic win over Costa Rica in Suwon.
The samba stars, going for a fifth world title, raced into a 3-0 lead but were pegged back to 3-2 before finally reasserting themselves to canter home for a third straight win at the tournament.
Ronaldo, looking close to full fitness, played a instrumental role in Brazil's opener after 10 minutes. He nipped in ahead of two defenders to poke home via a deflection off Luis Marin, who was credited with an own goal.
The Inter Milan star then made it 2-0 in the 13th minute. He spun in the area, throwing two markers off balance and whipped a low shot past Costa Rican `keeper Erick Lonnis.
Centre half Edmilson scored a spectacular third in the 38th minute after flinging himself skywards to net an overhead kick.
But fearless Costa Rica, who played a fine attacking game themselves, hit back one minute later through Paulo Wanchope to make it 3-1.
Rivaldo blazed over the bar before half-time after Ronaldo set him up with a shimmying run down the left flank and moments later the Barcelona star hit the post from a freekick.
Costa Rica regularly picked holes in the Brazilian back four, but were guilty of some abject finishing. Wright missed an open goal and Wanchope smacked a last-gasp effort against the bar from an acute angle.
However, they did score soon after following a fantastic move involving Centeno and Bryce. Bryce worked his way into the Brazilian box and crossed first-time to the back-post where Gomez smacked it home with a superb diving header.
Ronaldo was denied his second in the closing minutes when hitting the post after superbly rounding the 'keeper.
A deceptively nonchalant finish from Rivaldo after 62 minutes put the four-times champions back in the driving seat and Junior then swept home a fifth a minute later to ensure victory.
AFP