The Brazilians kicked off their Confederations Cup campaign in style with a comfortable 3-0 win over the current European champions Greece.
The boys in gold and blue were without their two imperious full backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos, and also without Ronaldo and Gilberto Silva, so it was a chance for the youngsters to shine... and shine they did.

Carlos' stand in, Gilberto was faultless on the left, getting forward to good effect throughout the match and when his team needed him defensively, he answered the call with a great last ditch challenge to stop the on-rushing Greeks. In truth, he only had to make one serious challenge in the match, and set up Robinho's third goal in five matches for the boys from Brazil.

This was after a first half that saw Adriano score an absolute scorcher of a goal. Having missed a couple of early chances, the Inter Milan striker picked up the ball on the right side of Greece's area about 20 yards out.

What followed was sheer guile, Adriano flipped the ball nonchalantly to the left, showing no signs of being ready to shoot, and unleashed a ferocious left-footed shot that seemed to pick up speed in the air and broke the sound barrier en-route to goal. The Greek keeper, who as has been pointed out looks remarkably like George Clooney, had to give the thumbs up to Adriano once he picked himself off the floor.

It was a goal that sparked the game into life, and one which left no doubt as to the eventual outcome of the game.

In fairness to Greece they did well to hold Brazil for as long as they did, but all they could do was hold them. They showed no attacking threat, and it took them up to the 36th minute to muster a shot on goal from 30 yards.

The game reminded the rest of the world why it's going to be extremely difficult to wrestle the World Cup from Brazil's hands. They have an abundance of talent waiting in the wings, and by the time Kaka put a 30 yard free kick perfectly in the top corner, all that was left to do was wonder at this incredible side.

The 2002 side unlike the 1970 side were relatively young and most of them are still playing, and, coupled with the fact that they can defend as well, makes ominous reading for the rest of the world. If there are any weak spots, it's the enigma that is Roque Junior, a man who looked at Leeds Utd like someone doing a very bad impression of a defender. Yet for Brazil he copes, but you always feel that he's the one who's always going to make the next mistake.

Greece, try though they might, just didn't have it in their armoury to break down the "Samba Kings".

Brazil will be happy with the 3-0 score line and they'll use the rest of the tournament to blood more youngsters, and give much needed tournament experience to their bit-part players such as the young left back Gilberto. My prediction is a Brazil v Argentina final, with Brazil gaining revenge for their recent 3-1 defeat in Buenos Aires in the FIFA World Cup qualifying rounds.

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