Portugal vs Brazil – Match Review
Show Some Balls this World Cup at centrebet.com
Brazil has topped Group G on seven points after a goalless draw with Portugal at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
A spiteful first half saw the referee produce seven yellow cards as chances were hard to come by for either side.
In fact, it was clear that Portugal was playing for a draw letting Brazil enjoy 64% of the possession in the opening 45 minutes.
Danny Alves and Tiago exchanged off-target efforts early in the match before the first genuine chance fell to the Brazilians in the 29th minute, with the Samba Kings coming oh-so-close to scoring through Brazilian forward, Nilmar.
Luis Fabiano cut in from the right-flank and slid an intelligent through-ball that allowed Nilmar to get a first-time shot on goal; however, Portuguese goalkeeper, Eduardo, smartly spread himself beating away the Brazilian’s shot onto the post and out of danger.
However, five minutes earlier, Juan was arguably fortunate to only see yellow for deliberate handball after illegally obstructing an aerial pass that would’ve released Portuguese captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, unmarked into the box.
Luis Fabiano should’ve bulleted Brazil into the lead seven minutes before half-time after Maicon’s deep cross wasn’t cut out by Eduardo; but the Brazilian saw his header bounce narrowly away from the Portuguese goal.
Portugal finally had a chance on target three minutes later courtesy of Ronaldo, but the Real Madrid winger only found the grateful arms of Julio Cesar.
The second half began with Portugal upping the ante, but it was Luis Fabiano who first tried his luck in the remaining 45 minutes as a looping header was well caught by Julio Cesar.
Following a Simão effort that almost caught the Brazilian goalkeeper off guard, a surging run moments later down the right flank by Ronaldo was initially cut out by Lucio.
However, the Brazilian defender only played the ball into the path of Raul Meireles who somehow couldn’t find the back of the net as a fantastic reactionary stop by Julio Cesar thwarted the Portuguese midfielder.
Brazil had two chances at the death to win it, but failed to take either as both sides drew blanks in a rather unentertaining end to this Group G encounter.
Firstly, a Danny Alves cross to the far post was headed back towards goal by Lucio, where Eduardo made a regulation stop as Portugal looked to have secured a draw.
Ramires thought otherwise however firing in a powerful shot that took a wicked deflection of the back of Bruno Alves; but the agility of Eduardo kept the Brazilians at bay as both teams collected the sufficient points to allow them to advance to the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup.
Show Some Balls this World Cup at centrebet.com
Leave your response!