Brazil rediscovers flair to crush US

Brazil put on a vastly improved performance on Thursday to beat the United States 3-0 and claim a spot in the Confederations Cup semifinals.

Felipe Melo put Brazil ahead in the seventh minute before Robinho and Maicon scored goals that typified the traditional flair and vigour that had been absent from the South American champion's narrow opening win over Egypt.

Robinho rounded off a 20th-minute counterattack of near breathtaking efficiency before Maicon, who had threatened throughout, started a second-half move on the right that ended with him lifting the ball from a narrow angle over goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The win at Loftus Versfeld gave Brazil six points in Group B, six more than a United States side that was dealt a red card for a second straight game and is now almost certain to be eliminated from the tournament.

The United States never looked like securing the point needed to maintain a realistic chance of progress and didn't manage a chance until substitute Benny Feilhaber hit the bar with seven minutes left.

Despite focusing before the match on Brazil's attacking fullbacks, the team was unable to contend with Maicon's runs down the right and struggled throughout with the pace of the game.

Maicon set up Felipe Melo's seventh-minute header and in the first half alone came close to creating another two goals after Robinho's effort, which came from a move that started with a corner kick to the United States.

The sending off of midfielder Sacha Kljestan in the 57th minute for a foul on Ramires created even more space for Brazil to exploit and Maicon did so five minutes later after a move involving Ramires and Kaka.

Kljestan will now be suspended for his teams' final group game against Egypt, while Brazil can bask in a win so comfortable that it was able to withdraw Kaka, Luis Fabiano and captain Lucio for the last 20 minutes.

Felipe Melo's header from a free kick by Maicon was the fourth of Brazil's five tournament goals to come from a set piece, but the five-time World Cup winners showed their famous flair for the next goal.

Landon Donovan, again standing in as captain for the injured Carlos Bocanegra, tried to play a short corner to DaMarcus Beasley, but the midfielder failed to read the pass and it ran to Andre Santos to clear.

With Beasley slapping the ground in frustration, Kaka helped the ball to Ramires, who drifted out to the right and rolled a pass across the edge of the area to the onrushing Robinho.

The striker scored with a well-placed low shot and celebrated by faking an interview into a microphone at the advertising board to the right of the goal.

United States coach Bob Bradley sent on Conor Casey for the second half in place of Beasley, but little changed and Howard had to make three saves in the next 10 minutes.

Feilhaber and Casey both hit the bar in the last seven minutes but Brazil had done its job by then.

AP