Brazil showed something of ...

Brazil showed something of the style we all expect as they meted out a 3-0 beating to a Moroccan side who started poorly and never recovered.

Leonardo was ruled offside when he scored in only the second minute after a long pass upfield to find his run by Rivaldo but it took only a further seven minutes for Ronaldo to fully arrive in this World Cup. Some excellent runs and touches in the opening game had failed to produce a goal for the toothsome one but that all changed when the ball was played through to him on the edge of the area. Anticipation and speed had taken him clear of any marker and he allowed the ball to come across his body. He shot first time, rifling the ball past Benzekri into the corner of the net.

From there Brazil failed to press their advantage against a stunned African side who failed to show any of the adventure and speed from their first match. They failed to make a serious attempt on the Brazilian goal but the world champions were still edgy and nervous. Their control of the game was unimpressive for most of the first half and they could not generate enough forward momentum to create many chances. Bebeto and Dunga, his captain, clashed angrily on 35 minutes after the award of a freekick to Morocco on the edge of the area. It was an ugly confrontation and one that could have been exploited by a more streetwise side and there are many of them around in this tournament.

Instead the nerves were settled by the most successful passing movement of the match which saw Bebeto feed the ball to Rivaldo on the edge of the box and get it back in a one-two. Bebeto hit the ball into the stride of Cafu on the right and Rivaldo sidefooted the right back's cross into the goal on the stroke of half time.

Four minutes after the break the avalanche appeared in view when a fine run by Ronaldo after he tackled Saber on the left before beating a defender in the box and running to the line to cut the ball back allowed Bebeto his one clear shot at goal on the night and he did not miss.

Brazil's influence receded from this point as they were content to protect a lead that saw them become the first side to qualify for the next stage and Morocco were never allowed back into the game.