Portugal 7-0 to DPR Korea and Chile 1-0 to 10-man Switzerland

Two different wins, while they are both very important for Chile and Portugal, they were different types of wins, we saw Portugal eventually break the floodgates open to score 7, and Chile having to grind out a goal for a tight win.

Here's how Group G stands after Portugal's win:

Brazil             (6)
Portugal         (4)
Ivory Coast    (1)
DPR Korea   (0)

Ronaldo's head juggling right before the goal

Portugal - DPR Korea 


In the first half we saw a tight game, with Portugal having difficulty to break down a tight DPR Korea defence, all this while DPR Korea attacked Portugal with organization and speed. It was a tight affair but eventually the first goal came, Tiago right outside the area with two defenders on him was able to slip a pass through to Raul Mereiles who coolly finished. This was the only goal of the half as Portugal still weren't as confident as they could've been as they went into the second.

After halftime the flood-gates opened for Portugal, first Simao finished through Ri Myong-Guk's legs from a through ball, then Hugo Almeida headed home the second from a wonderful counter-attack. After that Tiago with a low shot got one followed by Liedson and then Cristiano Ronaldo, who trying to round the keeper had the ball flicked up as he ran with it juggling on his head/neck to then realize where it was and pass the ball in the net. And finally the seventh came again from Tiago in the 89th minute, as Portugal finished off DPR Korea and prepare to face Brazil next round.

Paredes and Beausejour celebrate Chile's only goal

Chile - Switzerland


Chile started attacking right away, in the 10th minute we saw Benaglio parry two long range shots one after the other from Vidal and Carmona. After this shaky start for the Swiss, Behrami was sent off in the 31st minute with a direct red card. As he was shielding the ball, his elbows were flying up high near a Chileans face and eventually there was contact which the referee punished. So Switzerland finding themselves in a situation where they have to defend.

Chile continue to press as Sanchez did well to get a shot from right outside the six yard box which was central and saved from Benaglio. In the second half Chile pressed very high up the field and eventually caught the Swiss defence off guard, Sanchez 1 on 1 with Benaglio who does well to save from the rushing winger.

Finally Chile find the winner with a through ball to Paredes who gets past Benaglio and provides a great cross for Gonzalez who heads the ball into the net, there was a sniff of offside but the referee was probably right with the decision. Then late on Paredes misses a 1 on 1, and the Swiss also create a great opportunity but have the ball go just wide. So the final score 1-0 to Chile.