New Zealand were dazzled by Brazilian wizardry in a 5-0 loss at Shenyang last night which leaves their Olympic soccer campaign spinning to crisis point.
The Kiwis stood spellbound as the samba kings of world football played with a pace and flair that few of the young NewZealanders will have encountered before.
Up 2-0 at half-time, Brazil could have inflicted more damage but often appeared more intent on entertaining than building a giant score.
The Oly Whites, who drew 1-1 with China on Thursday, will almost certainly have to beat Belgium in their final pool match at Shanghai on Wednesday if their first Olympic campaign is to stretch into the quarter-finals.
At least they can't expect Belgium to provide the sort of vibrant attacking display that brought raucous cheers from 60,000 mostly-Chinese supporters last night.
Incomparable AC Milan midfielder and Brazilian captain Ronaldinho was a one-man highlight reel, unleashing some trademark spins, jinks and no-look passing.
The former world player of the year scored two second-half goals from dead-ball situations. The first was via a free-kick drilled low and hard through a mass of players and the second from a penalty.
The match's opening goal went to Anderson in the third minute, the ball headed home after bobbling between the Brazilian and New Zealand goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley.
Striker Alexandre Pato followed up with a superb glancing header half an hour later while substitute Rafael Sobis slotted the fifth in injury time.
New Zealand created a handful of half chances but never truly threatened the scorers.
The game was the last one at the Games for New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen, who is returning to his English Premier League club Blackburn.
He limped off after taking a knock with 10 minutes remaining but returned to see out his campaign.
Not surprisingly, New Zealand had a more defensive alignment than against China, dropping Jeremy Brockie back to a midfield role, leaving Chris Killen to run up front as the lone striker.
Often every player bar Killen was behind the ball to stymie the Brazilian raids.
