In one of the most highly anticipated group stage matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Brazil and Portugal served up a scoreless dud in Durban on Friday.
Brazil knew that a draw would give them Group G and in the second half, that seemed to be their predominant focus. In the end, Brazil tops Group G with seven points and Portugal takes second with five.
Ivory Coast defeated North Korea 3–0 in Group G’s other game. The Africans finish third with four points and North Korea heads home with three losses and the worst finish at the World Cup (-11 goal differential).
Brazil and Portugal rung in the changes for this contest. Notable Brazilians out of the lineup were Robinho, Elano (injury), and Kaka (suspended). For Portugal, Paulo Ferreira and Hugo Almeida didn’t play at all and Simao started on the bench.
Brazil started brightly. Their buildup seemed to lack a cutting edge, however. They dominated possession throughout the game. Their best chance of the match came in the 30th minute when Nilmar’s close range shot was parried by Portuguese keeper Eduardo off the post and out.
The story of the first half was the seven yellow cards shown as both teams really went hard at each other. The match was simmering, waiting to hit full boil. But it never did.
The second half was much calmer, with no cards shown. Portugal took it to Brazil and their best chance came when Raul Meireles latched onto a clearance by Brazil captain Lucio, only to place it wide with the outside of his right foot. The play had developed after a terrific run by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo had a quiet game overall and was dreadful on free kicks. The match, which so badly needed a goal, never got one. Brazil came close at the end with a Lucio header off a Dani Alves cross and Ramirez’s deflected shot being palmed away spectacularly by Eduardo.
Portugal, who finished second in Group G, will face Group H winner Spain and Chile meets Brazil in the round of 16.
Brazil knew that a draw would give them Group G and in the second half, that seemed to be their predominant focus. In the end, Brazil tops Group G with seven points and Portugal takes second with five.
Ivory Coast defeated North Korea 3–0 in Group G’s other game. The Africans finish third with four points and North Korea heads home with three losses and the worst finish at the World Cup (-11 goal differential).
Brazil and Portugal rung in the changes for this contest. Notable Brazilians out of the lineup were Robinho, Elano (injury), and Kaka (suspended). For Portugal, Paulo Ferreira and Hugo Almeida didn’t play at all and Simao started on the bench.
Brazil started brightly. Their buildup seemed to lack a cutting edge, however. They dominated possession throughout the game. Their best chance of the match came in the 30th minute when Nilmar’s close range shot was parried by Portuguese keeper Eduardo off the post and out.
The story of the first half was the seven yellow cards shown as both teams really went hard at each other. The match was simmering, waiting to hit full boil. But it never did.
The second half was much calmer, with no cards shown. Portugal took it to Brazil and their best chance came when Raul Meireles latched onto a clearance by Brazil captain Lucio, only to place it wide with the outside of his right foot. The play had developed after a terrific run by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo had a quiet game overall and was dreadful on free kicks. The match, which so badly needed a goal, never got one. Brazil came close at the end with a Lucio header off a Dani Alves cross and Ramirez’s deflected shot being palmed away spectacularly by Eduardo.
Portugal, who finished second in Group G, will face Group H winner Spain and Chile meets Brazil in the round of 16.
