MATCH 11 REPORT : ADRIANO SCORES A HAT-RICK AND QUALIFIES BRAZIL

In inspirational form, striker Adriano helped Brazil thrash Costa Rica 4-1 and secure their spot in the quarterfinals of Copa America. Defender Juan closed the scoring. With the victory in Arequipa, Carlos Alberto Parreira´s team have two win in two matches, with 6 points in Group C. Costa Rica, with two losses, are practically out of contention.

With one change in relation to the team that beat Chile on the opening day - Kleberson in Dudu Cearense´s place - the Brazilian squad took to the pitch with a more offensive formation, but took some time to find their form. The first goal-scoring opportunity came on 10 minutes, when Luis Fabiano found himself face to face with keeper Ricardo Gonzalez. Costa Rica hit back soon after in the only chance they created in the first half. Striker Bryce powering goal-wards and forcing keeper Julio Cesar to a huge save. Then, Brazil were unable to move forward with peril. However, in the last minute of the first half, Adriano broke the deadlock. After latching on to an Alex long-ball, the striker rounded keeper Gonzalez to make it 1-nil, the score at the break.

In the second half, Brazil returned with more determination and, within 10 minutes, scored twice. On 49 minutes, defender Juan broke from deep before slotting past the keeper. Moments later, Adriano headed in an Alex corner-kick. With the 3-nil advantage, manager Parreira swapped two players - Diego and Vagner Love replacing Kleberson and a shy Luis Fabiano, respectively. Setting the pace, Brazil extended the lead on 67 minutes. Gustavo Nery supplying the cross for Adriano to bag his hat-trick at his second attempt. The Brazilian frontman is the top scorer of the Copa America, alongside Argentinean Javier Saviola. With the huge lead, Brazil took the foot off the peddle and allowed Costa Rica to attack. So, on 81 minutes, defender Luis Marin pulled a goal back from a loose ball after a corner-kick. Final score, Brazil 4, Costa Rica, 1.

Brazil: Júlio César, Mancini, Luisão, Juan and Gustavo Nery; Kléberson (Diego 12/2), Renato, Edu (Dudu Cearense 20/2) and Alex; Luís Fabiano (Vagner Love 12/2) and Adriano. Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira

Costa Rica: Ricardo González, Try Bennett, Luis Marín, Mauricio Wright and Leonardo González; Cristian Badilla (Ronald Gómez 14/2), Douglas Sequeira, Walter Centeno and Steven Bryce; Alonso Solis (Carlos Hernández 30/2) and Álvaro Saborío (Andy Herron 30/2). Coach: José Luis Pinto

Venue: Estádio Monumental da Universidade Nacional de San Agustin (Arequipa-PER)

Referee: Héctor Baldassi (ARG)

Assistant Referees: Juan Sulca (PER) and Dember Perdomo (COL)

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