FIFA World Cup 2010 update: Brazil vs Portugal ends in a draw
The most anticipated clash in the group stages of the world cup 2010 ended in a stalemate, as Brazil held onto a draw despite being dominated in all parts of the field by Portugal. Brazil topped the group with 7 points, while Portugal went through with 5, after both the teams gained a point each. On the other end, Ivory Coast ended with 4 and North Korea went home with nothing to show for their efforts.
Looking at the match, it was somewhat of an anticlimax in the end. After a hot-headed first half, where tempers were flying high resulting in 7 yellow cards, which was pretty much even, teams had equal opportunities but failed to convert any.
Let us look at what transpired in the 2nd half, blow for blow. The half started brightly for Portugal, which pretty much set the trend for the rest of the match.
The first move started on the left flank, but there was probably one touch too many as Ronaldo kept waiting in the centre while the move was killed by a clearance from the box.
However, moments later it was Ronaldo fed by a lobbed through ball on the right wing, which he cut back well to go inside the box. A man was waiting in the centre, while he was blocked by a desperately diving Lucio.
In the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half it was all Portugal. In the 52nd minute, Ronaldo lined up another free kick from almost 35 yards. As predicted he went straight for a goal but his shot was deflected by one of his team mates and went over the goal post.
The first shot in anger from Brazil came from Julio Baptista who shot from well outside the box after being set up by Alves, but his shot was well blocked by Crvalho.
One can be forgiven to be deceived into believing that there was more the one Alves in the Brazilian line up, as he was everywhere. Once again he set up a shot for Fabiano after some good work at the wing, only for the loopy shot to be saved easily by the keeper. Soon after, Portugal were on the break and Simao with some good work in midfield set up Ronaldo, but the shot after bouncing off Cesar’s body went for a corner. The following corner was easily dealt with by Fabiano who shot the ball well into the distance.
Two minutes later, it was definitely the best chance of the match for Portugal till that mark. Who else could it be other than Ronaldo making another of his trademark runs down the left wing, taking on 3 defenders on his own, and the ball was cut back in the centre to Mereles. The keeper was at his mercy but Cesar came storming in and deflected Mereles shot wide for a corner. Cesar suffered a minor back injury following that save, while Mereles could not believe he did not put the ball in the net.
The following corner was once again ineffective, as Lucio cleared it easily. Queiroz was getting restless and took off Pepe after he had picked up a yellow in the first half, and replaced him with Pedro Mendis with just less than half n hour to go.
Over 20 minutes into the 2nd half, Brazil just could not make their way in to Portugal’s 6 yard box. Just a couple of long range efforts which went high and wide into the crowd is what they had to show for their efforts, after having some good sessions of play in the first half.
Lucio, who was being tormented by Ronaldo pushed his luck, blocked Ronaldo on another one of his runs conceding yet another free kick. However, the Portuguese captain could not produce one of his trademark thunderbolts as another free kick struck his own player and went out.
Kaka was proving to be a bigger miss than expected, especially in the 2nd half where they looked completely out of ideas, while Portugal continued to press.
Danny Alves, who till then had made plenty of moves without much result, finally decided to take one shot himself, but as others his shot also went off target.
Brazil, after being on the receiving end of constant Portuguese pressure, decided to slow down the match and played the ball within them for a brief period of time, without threatening much, which is not very typical of the 5 time world champions.
Portugal continued to press hard, as soon they got the ball Simao rampaged down the right flank, cutting back a quick ball to Ronaldo who had the big frame of Juan to deal with. The Brazilian defender knocked the ball away, as score remained 0-0.
The pattern of the game remained the same, a number of misplaced passes from Brazil, and constant break moves from Portugal, as Brazilian Coach Dunga was jumping and punching his fists in the air out of frustration.
With 10 minutes to go Portugal earned another free kick, and this time it was Simao to take the kick, but the result was not much different as his kick hit a Brazilian defender.
With just 3 minutes left Brazil finally had a shot on target, from a corner Alves sent in a cross for Lucio but the header was comfortably saved by Eduardo.
The match finally ended in a draw. However, it was a big psychological win for Portugal who dominated the 5 time world champions throughout in the 2nd half.
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