It was all to easy for Brazil at the Gimnasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia today as they strolled to a 9-0 win over Cuba in their final Group A match. The win put paid to any doubt that they might not finish atop the section summit and ensured a return to Rio, where they will play the first match of the second group stage on Saturday.

From the first whistle, backed by a partisan crowd, Brazil were in the ascendancy and only some fine goalkeeping from Wilfredo Carbo kept the scores level. However, when Schumacher broke the deadlock in the fourth minute, the floodgates opened.

Wilde doubled the advantage in the eighth minute and a Falcao penalty five minutes later after Betao was fouled in the box made the score 3-0. By half-time the hosts were 5-0 up thanks to Wilde's second of the match and a Lenisio strike.

Twenty seconds after the restart, Brazil hit their sixth, thanks to their skipper Vinicius. Falcao and Lenisio grabbed their seconds, but the final goal was the pick of the crop when Ari and Falcao combined superbly for Betao to complete the rout.

Paulo de Oliveira, Brazil coach
We’ve won nothing today. We have another group stage with three more games ahead of us. And we want to earn the right to play even more games at this World Cup.

Elddys Valdes, Cuba coach
It’s been a fantastic World Cup, but my team needs more experience before we can compete with the likes of Brazil, Spain and Russia.

Japan face a battle with Russia on Wednesday to see who will emerge as the second placed team in Group A following the former's 4-1 victory over Cuba.

The Asians almost took the lead as early as the eighth second when Yusuke Inada forced a good save from Wilfredo Carbo. The veteran keeper, the oldest player in the competition, also denied Inada two minutes later as well as Rikarudo Higa and Yusuke Komiyama inside the opening 15 minutes.

Despite Japan's domination, it was Cuba who took the lead against the run of play in the 16th minute; Yampier Rodriguez with an inch-perfect lob over the goalkeeper. The goal rocked Japan who were fortunate not to concede another when Boris Saname's shot rattled the post shortly before half-time.

Carbo again frustrated his opponents with some fine goalkeeping, but was powerless to stop Nobuya Osodo's shot in the 24th minute which crept between his legs. Two minutes later, Japan were in front through Kotaro Inaba and the Japan No11 played a key role in Japan's final two goals.

First Inaba's thunderous effort was spilled by Carbo into the path of Yuki Kanayama, who made it 3-1 and then he turned goalscorer with six minutes remaining when Inada provided the assist.