FIFA World Cup 2010-Portugal vs. Brazil Half Time Review
Portugal took on Brazil in one of the most anticipated clashes of the World Cup group stages. Brazil started with Robinho on the bench as Nilmar took his place in the Brazilian attack. Kaka was absent for the five time champions with a suspension from the last match against Ivory Coast, Elano was also missing with an injury which meant that Daniel Alves replaced him.
Portugal started with a pragmatic line up with Pepe in midfield and Ronaldo as their sole striker upfront. Ricardo Costa replaced Miguel from the last match and Duda played left back for the Portuguese as Fabio Coentrao was pushed up field to a midfield role. Danny was brought in to replace Simao as well.
The last time these teams met in the World Cup was 44 years ago. That match ended in a 3-1 win for the Portuguese with Eusebio and Simôes scoring for them.
Brazil looked on top as the first half gathered pace. By the 5th minute mark, they had already forced Portugal to concede to corners. Brazil had their attempt at the target around the 7th minute mark with Daniel Alves trying his luck from around 30 yards out but he failed to hit the target.
The first yellow card of the match was shown to the Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano in the 14th minute of the match for his challenge on Pepe. The first Portuguese shot on target of the first half came from their midfielder Tiago who tried his luck from 20 yards out but sliced his shot wide. Juan was shown the second yellow card of the match was deliberately handling the ball to stop a Portuguese counter attack on the half way line, the follow up protests also earned Duda the Portuguese midfielder a booking.
Brazil controlled most of the possession during the first half of the match as Portugal found it difficult to pass the ball around successfully. Their best chance of the game came in the 31st minute as Eduardo the Portuguese goal keeper parried Nilmar’s shot towards the goal onto the post. At the 29th minute mark, Tiago went down in the Brazilian penalty after a blistering Portuguese counter attack. The referee booked the Portuguese midfielder for diving and trying to deceive the officials.
Another Portuguese player, Pepe was booked around the 37th minute mark for a late challenge on Felipe Melo. Brazil created another superb goal scoring chance at the 39th minute mark as Luis Fabiano’s header went just wide of the goal after some excellent build up play. Portugal’s most disappointing player in the first half was Ricardo Costa who had a terrible time dealing with Nilmar’s pace and dribbling skill on the left side of the Brazilian attack. The sixth yellow card of the match was shown to Felipe Melo for his tackle on Pepe in the 42nd minute of the match. The first substitution of the half came at 44th minute when Felipe Melo was brought off by Dunga for Brazil.
The half ended with the scores at nil all and both the teams looking an equal match for each other.
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