With Brazil having already clinched qualification into the knockout stages of the 2010 World Cup and Portugal only needing to avoid an historic collapse and comeback by the Ivory Coast, there were two likely scenarios for their Group G finale on Friday. Either the two teams could have felt buoyed by the lack of pressure and played a free-flowing, entertaining match or they could have decided to play it safe and avoid going too hard and getting any injuries ahead of the next round.
However, there was a third option that few people considered: that Portugal and Brazil would combine to play a fierce - and sometimes vicious - game that bordered on violent and ugly. It was hardly the “Battle of Santiago” but it also wasn’t the attractive, beautiful football usually seen from Brazil and its former colonial master. When the final whistle blew at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Portugal had earned the scoreless draw they needed to make passage to the next round assured while Brazil had booked their place at the top of the table.
But when it comes to things been “booked” in this match, the two squads lead the way in a rough and sometimes dismal game. Mexican referee Benito Archundia had his hands full from the opening minutes and was almost certainly the busiest person on the pitch on Friday, giving out seven yellow cards during the match - all before halftime. They were all justified, as neither team was interested in giving and inch and each seemingly wanted to make a statement about their grit and defensive prowess heading into the knockout stages.
Brazil was forced to alter their line-up before the start of the match, as superstar midfielder Kaka was suspended after picking up two yellow cards in their previous match against the Ivory Coast. A.S. Roma midfielder Julio Baptisa was brought on as a replacement. Brazilian coach Dunga also decided to make a tactical change, resting Elano (who is still recovering from an ankle sprain) and replacing him with Daniel Alves. Nilmar also started ahead of Robinho as the attacking pair along with Luis Fabiano up front.
Despite the changes, it was Brazil who controlled the run of play in the first half. Portugal spent much of the half trying to smother Brazil’s offensive weapons in hopes of neutralizing their attack. Brazil was still able to create several good chances during the half, however. They dominated possession and were rarely threatened in the midfield as Portugal was content to let Brazil set up camp inside their half and try to clog up the passing and shooting lanes.
One of the best chances of the first half came to Nilmar when he collected an Alves cross in the 28th minute and got off a shot from the edge of the box that was pushed onto the crossbar by Portuguese keeper Eduardo. A few minutes later, Luis Fabiano - the leading goal scorer in the tournament - almost broke open the scoring when he headed a cross from Maicon just wide of goal.
Portugal was lucky to escape scoreless at halftime - and with all 11 players still on the field. This was also true for Brazil, as Juan was lucky not to pick up a straight red for a deliberate hand ball on a cross that might have found Cristiano Ronaldo free. Ronaldo would be responsible for the best Portuguese chance of the night 15 minutes into the second half, as he made a slaloming, darting run through several Brazil defenders. Lucio was able to make a desperate tackle but the ball fell for Pepe. However, he could not steer his stabbing shot closer than just wide of the target.
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