Costa - 2 Brazil - 5GROUP C: Back in the real world football is never played like this, all gung-ho attack danced to a rhythm of flicks and spins. But at least in the real world the best of the rest, including England, can draw hope.

Brazil's riotous progress into the knockout phase, ending Costa Rica's chances in the process, was maintained in a blur of a game laced with seven sumptuous goals.

Their coach Luiz Felipe Scolari left tutting but no one seemed to care. The talk here was of a World Cup being within reach.

To a large extent the excitement was justified. Ronaldo and Rivaldo were fit and purring; Edilson zipped around in their wake, tormenting panicked markers; Edmilson and Lucio, conventional Brazilian centre-halves, were ever keen to dribble upfield in dizzy ecstasy; and Junior - a squad player given a rare opportunity to shine - was a barn-storming presence down the left. With an incessant fluorescent wave pouring over them, Costa Rica were swept away.

"We have the mentality to win the whole competition," said Juninho, who buzzed around midfield slipping passes on to which the forwards tore.

"We are strong in the right areas and we're playing well at the right time. We're so fast, particularly when we have the ball, and everything is geared towards creating chances. That's the way we know best and the way we must carry on playing."

Their coach clearly disagrees. As far as he can see, and he has a point, Brazil are flawed. For the fans they are a delight to behold but from the dugout they are a nightmare.

Costa Rica might have scored twice before Brazil had mustered the first of their many shots; the Central Americans went on to hit the woodwork twice and miss a series of glaring chances. Better teams, England in the quarter-finals for one, would not make the same mistakes.

"If my defenders did what I told them to do, we'd be all right," said a deadpan Scolari.

"They can do it in practice but on the field it never seems to work. We are making mistakes and we have so many weaknesses back there. We have to put that right."

His perfectionism gives him the air of Scrooge at Christmas. It seems perverse to criticise "defensive" players such as Junior, who capped a startling performance by bursting upfield to rip the fifth past a shell-shocked Erick Lonnis; or Edmilson, whose goal - one-twos with Rivaldo and Junior culminating in a stunning scissor-kick volley on the turn - will surely not be bettered in the competition.

But Edmilson was dropped after the victory over Turkey for being too adventurous and his defensive display here was a shambles. Paulo Wanchope, whose own slick exchange with Mauricio Wright pulled a goal back before the break, ran him ragged while Ronald Gomez tormented him so much it was embarrassing.

It was Gomez who added the Costa Ricans' second, a diving header beyond Marcos, to pull it back to 3-2 but there should have been more by then.

Wright and Walter Centeno, all composure drained, missed simple chances and Wanchope missed an open goal from a yard out after Junior had hit his own post. Understandably frustrated, he rattled a shot against the bar.

"Brazil can be world champions and they created so many chances, but so did we," said the Manchester City striker.

Wanchope added: "I think England will be their main rivals and they are playing very well. I really think England or Brazil can go all the way.

"Maybe they are weak at the back but they scored five goals, so it might not be a problem."

That mentality has carried Brazil far in the past, even if Scolari has made it his mission to clean up old habits. But, while the teething problems persist, so will the entertainment.

It took only 10 minutes for a combination of Ronaldo and Costa Rica's Luis Marin to scuff in a scrappy first; FIFA will decide today whether the striker found the decisive touch.

Three minutes later Ronaldo turned Harold Wallace to poke in a second.

Besides Edmilson's third Rivaldo smacked a post. Costa Rica's comeback was then scuppered by Rivaldo's side-footed finish and Junior's fifth.

"I'd put us with Germany and England as favourites," added Juninho, "but there's still plenty to do" - and plenty to learn.

Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes had mixed emotions after his side missed out on second spot in the group on goal difference to Turkey.

"I am sad because we have to leave, but we have showed enough football to be a part of this World Cup," he said.

"We have four points and it is just a difference of goals that has chosen one team above another.

"We are very proud and extremely happy with our style. We came to show the improvement in Costa Rican football and today we showed that against one of the most important national teams."

Guimaraes predicted a bright future for Costa Rica, but is unsure whether he will be part of it.

"Today was my last game as national coach because my contract ends," he said.

"We have to wait and we have to see, now everyone just wants to watch the rest of the World Cup.

"But the team has a great future. The experience of games like today will help us a lot and give us a chance to play at the next World Cup."

SUBSTITUTES

Brazil: Kleberson for Edilson (57), Ricardinho for Juninho (60), Kaka for Rivaldo (72). Costa Rica: Fonseca for Solis (65); Parks for Martinez (74).

YELLOW CARDS

Brazil: Cafu.