Before the match started, the big question was if Brazil as a team was back to normal levels of Dunga suffering seen in the past game or if the last game was a unseen performance by Egypt.

And before Dunga and the fans could seat to much with that question, Brazil was winning 1-0. Great start for the team that had a squad that tested 3 new players - Miranda replacing Juan, Andre Santos replacing Kleber and Ramires replacing Elano.

The transfer rumors seemed to be slowing down, after a few frantic weeks of wild speculation, most of it, pretty outrageous but in the last two days have come-back fullforce. Next week might see OL land their first Summer acquisition and "bigfish" of the mercato, let's keep our fingers crossed.

Not an usual game, I should say. After eliminating Spain, the US had acquired a different aura in the eyes of Brazilians. Suddenly, the squad that was massacred 3-0 became a respectful team. That way, both sides started the match nervous. Brazil for the reason already mentioned. The US for losing virginity in a FIFA tournament final against Brazil.

The second leg of the final of Copa do Brasil was no land for children.

And Corinthians was an adult side. The club stepped into the pitch after losing last year's Copa do Brasil and with the difficult experience of spending one season in the second division.

Inter? The home team looked like an teenager, at most.

A couple weeks ago Corinthians were the shame of Brazil, desperate for some type of good news. Bad celebrations, fans killing rival fans, setting more things alight and on-pitch throw-downs with the youth team (with poor fighting technique at that) read like playing Corinthians is akin to playing in a conflict zone.

Andre Santos (left) and Christian (right) just joined Fenerbahce and introduce the 2010 kits along with another ex-Corinthins player. Forward Deivid (center) was the host.

So tipos have landed in Chile for their friendly against the national side tomorrow, and immediately checked into Hotel Sofitel Salvador. The substitutes trained at an open area within the hotel while the starting 11 enjoyed some muscle regeneration time with Senor Paixao at the physical therapy pool.

It was like watching The Notebook all over again at the Bootcamp da Selecao yesterday... romântico, huh?

While doing their ball-control exercises, manos held one another's hands to prevent themselves from slipping on the wet grass. Check out the Dani Alves/Fabulouso love and Andre Santos' facial expression.

OL Gets Serious About The Attack!

In:

Lisandro Lopez: Lyon finally got their man. JMA's first signing of the summer cost OL 24 mill plus performance bonuses. Lisandro is supposed to be in Lyon Friday for his physical.

So Dunga has finalized his tropa that will face Argentina next month... and Adriano aside, we're excited to see that our friend Lucas has also been summoned! Grandeeeeee mano!

The Dinho and Pato were both left out of the squad again (Milan's dismal form has been obviously detrimental to their chances ).

With Brazil qualified to the World Cup, the match against Chile was going to be important for 2 reasons: 1)add another victory to the incredible sequence of 18 undefeated matches; 2) test new players to join the group of 23 going to South Africa.

For that, Brazil came with the following formation: Júlio César; Maicon, Luisão, Miranda, André Santos; Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo, Daniel Alves, Júlio Baptista; Nilmar, Adriano.

Oh Dani Alves, how could we love him any less? His goal yesterday against South Africa was perfeito! Great vision and a lot of thought put into the set piece. Mano knew he had a 80% chance of the ball curling neatly in and he struck it like it was 1974!

Tudo bem, people?! Welcome to Day 1 of the Selecao bootcamp.... a staple here at Futbolita. And in true spirit, we just did a thorough assessment of the selecao's arrival at Granja Comary with our Brazilian amiga here, Ana.