Abhishek Mehrotra rates the superstars in the titanic clash between Brazil and Ivory Coast on Sunday.
Brazil
Júlio César - 6
Two fairly straightforward saves and one quick interception were his only notable contributions to the game.
Juan - 7
Solid is the only way to describe him as he teamed up with Lucio to keep Didier Drogba in check. Drove forward with some powerful runs whenever he got the chance.
Lúcio - 7
The understanding he enjoyed with Juan bordered on telepathic. Stayed back when Juan was marauding forward and made sure Ivory Coast did not get any mischevious ideas. Both Juan and Lucio however, did get caught out when Drogba scored.
Michel Bastos - 5.5
Failed to make his searing pace count moving forward and had a fair bit of trouble controlling Emmanuel Eboue at the back.
Maicon - 6.5
Not quite as eye-catching against North Korea, but those bombastic runs on the right were threatening all night long.
Felipe Melo - 4
Perhaps the poorest of the Brazilians on the night. Lost possession too often in midfield and his passing was puzzling to say the least. Chose to go backwards when open spaces in the Ivory Coast half beckoned.
Gilberto Silva -6.5
Was the work-horse amongst the Brazilian thoroughbreds - mopping up at the back every time one of the central defenders ambled into the midfield.
Kaká - 8
Opponents - ye be warned! Kaka looks like he is fast approaching his best. Looked uncomfortable initially but grew to command the midfield and leave Ivory Coast chasing shadows. Should not have been sent off.
Elano (off 64') - 7
Scored his second in two games although he was the beneficiary of Kaka's brilliance. Nonetheless, he added some much needed energy in midfield and got Brazil out of their own half more with a few mazy runs.
Robinho (off 90') - 6.5
Both sides of Robinho were on show - the show-off as well as the genius. Every time he chose to indulge in some close passing with Fabiano and Kaka, he looked superb, but there were times when he opted to go for glory instead of serving the interests of the team.
Luis Fabiano - 8.5
Two superbly taken goals indicate the forward may be finally ready to take over Ronaldo's mantle. He did handle the ball for the second goal but well, far more important matches have been decided by a hand - a group game is quite trivial isn't it?
Subs
Dani Alves (on 64') - 6
Did not play in his usual right-back role and looked slightly out of position. Curbed his attacking instincts and made sure Brazil protected their lead.
Ramirez (on 90') - n.a
Ivory Coast
Boubacar Barry - 5.5
Made a couple of decent saves, but was let down by his central defenders in all of Brazil's goals.
Didier Zokora - 3.5
Should have done better with each of Brazil's last two goals. Fabiano and his bicep made Zokora look foolish. Later, he allowed Elano to cut across him and tap in for Brazil's third.
Kolo Touré - 4
Had a pathetic time of it against Fabiano and Kaka. Failed to cut out a couple of crucial through balls and was embarrasingly nutmegged by Kaka in the lead-up to Brazil's second goal.
Siaka Tiéné - 5.5
Spent more time arguing with the ref than actually playing the game. Managed to prevent Maicon from causing too much damage on the flank though.
Guy Demel - 5
Nothing special on the right but clatterd into Kaka a couple of time to tell the Brazilian this was not going to be an easy night. As it turned out, it wasn't.
Yaya Touré - 6.5
Earned himself an extra point with that delicious chip to find Drogba for the Ivory Coast goal. Had been fairly anonymous before that as Brazil popped up with some champagne football.
Ismael Tioté - 5.5
Not very effective going forward but at least kept Kaka quiet in the initial stages of the game. Stole the ball off the Brazilian time and again. When Brazil found their range however, Tiote was simply out of his depth.
Emmanuel Eboué (off 71') - 7
The Africans' best player of the first half by a distance. Was the only one willing to get things moving as his teammates played some aimless football. Couple of one-twos with Aruna Dindane were sumptuous.
Salomon Kalou (off 68') - 3
Very very poor. Short on inspiration and creativity, Kalou failed to trouble the Brazilian defence at all and left Drogba fending on his own up front.
Didier Drogba - 5.5
The big Drog looked isolated up front, especially with Juan and Lucio marshalling the penalty area. Did get a late goal, but really, this was far from a vintage Drogba display.
Aruna Dindane (off 55') - 6
His play with Eboue on the right was the sole spark in a dull first half for the Ivory Coast. Threw in some useful crosses and was willing to run at the defenders.
Subs
Gervinho (on 55') - 8
Undoubtedly the best Ivory Coast player on display. Sent panic in the ranks with some great runs right into the heart of the Brazilian defence. Should have started the game.
Kader Keita (on 68') - 4
His playacting to get Kaka sent off was absolutely disgraceful. As for his performance, did do much better than Kalou, providing Drogba with some much needed support.
Romaric (on 71') - 3.5
Why he was brought on for the sharp Eboue is a mystery. Failed to add any verve to the Ivory Coast attack.