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Brazil cruise to victory over 10-man USA

  • Story Highlights
  • Brazil cruise to 3-0 win over United States in Confederations Cup on Thursday
  • Felipe Melo, Robinho and Maicon score the goals against 10-man opponents
  • Brazil will claim a semifinal place if they draw with Italy in final Group B match
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(CNN) -- Brazil cruised to a 3-0 win over 10-man United States in Pretoria on Thursday to move closer to a place in the last four of the Confederations Cup.

Brazil players celebrate after Maicon's third goal in their comfortable victory over the United States.

Brazil players celebrate after Maicon's third goal in their comfortable victory over the United States.

Goals from Felipe Melo, Robinho and Maicon secured the three points for Dunga's side -- who will definitely reach the semifinals should they draw with Italy in their final Group B encounter.

Brazil opened their tournament with a thrilling 4-3 success over Egypt on Monday and they continued that form by taking the lead after seven minutes.

Inter Milan defender Maicon floated a 35-yard free-kick into the box and Fiorentina midfielder Melo out-jumped the American defense to head home.

Brazil doubled their lead 13 minutes later with a superb counter-attack goal. A United States corner amounted to nothing and, with the American defenders all up field, Brazil broke with devastating effect.

Kaka picked out new Benfica signing Ramires. He then laid the ball across for Robinho, who made no mistake from close range, poking the ball wide of goalkeeper Tim Howard.

On celebrating the goal, the Manchester City striker then ran over to the side of the pitch to give a brief interview to Brazilian TV, which must be a world first.

The second half saw Brazil continue to dominate and Everton goalkeeper Howard pulled off a superb save to deny Real Madrid new boy Kaka in the 53rd minute.

The United States had Ricardo Clark sent off in their first match against Italy -- and they were also reduced to 10 men against Brazil when Sacha Kljestan was dismissed in the 55th minute for a reckless tackle on Ramires.

Maicon completed a man-of-the-match performance seven minutes later when he chipped the ball into the top-left corner of the net after a thrilling move that involved both Kaka and Ramires.

The United States' best chances came late in the game with substitute Benny Feilhaber hitting the underside of Julio Cesar's crossbar and a Conor Casey header going the same way.

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