FIFA World Cup 2010 - Brazil 3-1 Ivory Coast: Luis Fabiano’s unnoticed handball, Drogba’s Consolidation Goal and the Controversial Kaka red card
This has by far been the most captivating game of the FIFA World Cup 2010 up till now in South Africa. It has a bit of everything, what with the goals, drama, cards, controversy and suspense. The beautiful game was, for a change, played the right way today, with an amazing performance by Brazil; a team that is not only a favorite with the bookies and the fans, but with their current performance in the World Cup.
With three goals Brazil really proved themselves worthy of their win today, Ivory Coast fought back hard but their efforts proved futile in the faces of the amazing players of Brazil. Brazil at the moment really seam like good candidates to win the world cup. They started off with winning against North Korea which really set the pace for them but today’s game was just astounding. Brazil's Luis Fabiano got back amongst the goals as he recorded a brace to set his side up for a 3-1 win over Ivory Coast in Group G. Kaka was sent off later on, over a controversial affair. Fabiano hit goals either side of half-time, though the second had a hint of handball about it, before Elano wrapped up the win. Didier Drogba’s header proved only a consolation for the Elephants.
Brazil could well have had the lead within the first minute as an Ivory Coast attack was broken down and Robinho broke straight through the middle before firing a 30-yard strike just over the bar. But during the initial stages of the game it was the Africans who were on top, with Brazil looking to rein back a rare spell of possession. But this only proved to be the catalyst to a period of pressure from Brazil which would lead to the opening goal on 26 minutes.
Robinho picked up the ball in midfield and fed Luis Fabiano, whose first-time flick freed Kaka. The Real Madrid man did well to keep hold of possession under pressure before returning the pass to Luis Fabiano, who strode forward and fired emphatically into the roof of the net at Barry’s near post. Less than a minute on the clock and Robinho had picked up where he left off against North Korea. The breakthrough was just what Brazil needed to take control of the game, as the Selecao began to dominate possession and territory for the first time.
Brazil came out for the second half with an extra spring in their step and within just five minutes Luis Fabiano added a controversial second goal. With two defenders to beat, Luis Fabiano appeared to take the ball down with the top of his arm, before flicking it up with his right foot, then once more connecting with the top of his arm. With no whistle forthcoming, the striker was able to drill home the bouncing ball with his left foot.
It was a real sucker punch for Cote d’Ivoire, but they weren’t about to give up, and just two minutes later Drogba worked himself into space, from where he was able to get a header in on the goal. Didier Drogba doesn't usually deal in consolation goals, but that's exactly what he bagged for Ivory Coast with that goal. This was the first goal by an African side against Brazil in a World Cup and the Ivorians looked confident enough to try and score another one after this as they began to play with a hint of urgency, but just after the hour mark Brazil put the game to an end.
Kaka did superbly to get to the bye-line on the left before cutting back into the centre, where Elano timed his run to perfection and took an easy shot into the goal. It was practically Elano’s last touch of the game, as he picked up an injury soon after had to be stretchered off the pitch. It was a sad day for the home crowd, most of who had come to cheer on their African brothers.
Then came the real flashpoint with just three minutes remaining as Keita ran into Kaka in back play before throwing himself to the floor. As recriminations were sent back and forth between the two sets of players, there was a great amount of pushing and shoving before the referee regained control. When order was restored he eventually showed Kaka a second yellow card and the subsequent red, which was just ridiculous. Kader Keita collided with Kaka off the ball and went down as if the Brazilian has assaulted him. It was nothing but a coming together, but referee Stephane Lannoy, who couldn’t have even seen the incident, gave Kaka a second yellow card and sent the Real Madrid man off.
Brazil still managed to hold out and record their second successive win though. It was just a shame that the game had to end in such farcical scenes. Dunga and the Brazilians were in a rage about Kaka's sending off. Still, the Samba boys are in the last 16 and the Ivory Coast could still possibly join them if results go their way. Tomorrow the other two teams of Group G - Portugal and North Korea face off, before Chile-Switzerland and Spain-Honduras later in the day.
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