FIFA World Cup Finals 2010 Match by Match (Group G)
Match by Match Reports
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The prospect of meetings between Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire and Portugal made this group perhaps the most exciting of all and certainly the most colourful. The West African team, however, were very disappointing and the much anticipated final match between Portugal and Brazil turned into an anticlimax. North Korea, after a fine performance against Brazil, were completely out of their depth.
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Côte d'Ivoire
Portugal
Côte d'Ivoire 0 v 0 Portugal
venue Port Elizabeth (37,034)
date Tuesday 15 June 3pm BST
With so much at stake, it is perhaps not surprising that both teams approached this game with caution. Portugal came closest to scoring in the first half when their talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, struck the post. In the second half Didier Drogba, still recovering from a broken arm, was brought on for the African team but he could not break the deadlock. After 90 minutes, the teams had mustered just one shot on target each.
Brazil
Korea DPR
Brazil 2 v 1 Korea DPR
venue Johannesburg EP (54,331)
date Tuesday 15 June 7.30pm BST
Brazil are ranked number one in the world whereas North Korea are 105th. The game was, nevertheless, far from a foregone conclusion as the Koreans defended with discipline, snuffing out the Brazilian's favoured route through the centre of midfield. A brilliant strike by Maicon after 55 minutes put Brazil ahead and this was followed 17 minutes later by a clinically executed second goal by Elano. The story of the night, however, was a goal by Ji Yun-nam in the final minute of regular time. The Korea DPR team had acquitted itself with honour.
Brazil
Côte d'Ivoire
Brazil 3 v 1 Côte d'Ivoire
venue Johannesburg SC (84,455)
date Sunday 20 June 12.30pm BST
Brazil swept aside the Côte d'Ivoire side in a match that was not without controversy. Luis Fabiano scored twice for Brazil: his first after 25 minutes was a fine strike but there was more than a hint of handball when he took the ball under control before drilling home number two after 50 minutes. Rather than sit back, Brazil upped the tempo and scored their third just 12 minutes later. Drogba pulled one back with ten minutes left. The game ended on a sour note when Kaka was dismissed by the referee who appeared to be influenced by deliberate simulation by Abdelkader Keita.
Portugal
Korea DPR
Portugal 7 v 0 Korea DPR
venue Cape Town (63,644)
date Monday 21 June 12.30pm BST
In the first half, Korea did well to contain a lively Portuguese team and went in trailing by just one goal. In the second half, however, Portugal stepped up their game and in a devastating display of attacking football, scored three in just seven minutes to put the game beyond doubt. As the Korean side wilted, Portugal added another three in the last 9 minutes of the match.
Portugal
Brazil
Portugal 0 v 0 Brazil
venue Durban (62,712)
date Friday 25 June 3pm BST
One of the most eagerly awaited matches of the group stage turned out to be a crashing bore and both sides were booed off at the end. Brazil had already qualified while Portugal needed only a draw to go through. The Portuguese defended with nine outfield players whenever Brazil had possession while the South American side were content to pass the ball without making any serious attempt to break through. Seven players were booked in the first half.
Korea DPR
Côte d'Ivoire
Korea DPR 0 v 3 Côte d'Ivoire
venue Nelspruit (34,634)
date Friday 25 June 3pm BST
Technically Côte d'Ivoire could have qualified had Portugal lost against Brazil but would have needed a cricket score to better their goal difference record. The African side dominated and were 2-0 up at half-time but could only add one more in the second half so both teams bowed out of the competition.
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World Cup 2010 Overview
