Portugal advance with Brazil after 0-0 draw

A dull game, it was to be expected because Portugal were practically through along with Brazil. Ivory Coast on the other hand played to have fun, the chains off and the Ivory Coast really showed their attacking prowess.

Nilmar's shot saved and onto the crossbar

Portugal - Brazil

It was a tight first half, Nilmar had a good chance after breaking through on the left, redirecting a shot on goal only to see Eduardo tip it just enough so that it bounced off the upright. It was one of the few opportunities in a half littered with fouls, dives, and yellow cards. Then in the 39th Maicon's cross to unmarked Luis Fabiano at the back post who somehow missed the header.

The second half was also forgettable, the biggest chance came thanks to Lucio clearing the ball across his own box for Mereiles to jump onto and have his shot saved by a brave Julio Cesar. Brazil also had a chance with Ramires having shot deflected which slightly troubled Eduardo, but the Portuguese kept the score at 0-0. Dull match, hope to see better from both teams throughout the tournament.

Yaya Toure's shot which ends up in the back of the net

Korea DPR - Ivory Coast


The Ivory Coast finally dominated a game, their first match against Portugal they were cagey and afraid, and in the second against Brazil was just impossible. The Ivory Coast showed why many consider them the best African nation in this tournament, plenty of possession and shots on target as they crushed DPR Korea 3-0.

The first half started well, Drogba getting a goal disallowed for offside, and after that they found the opener with Yaya Toure in the 14th. A pinpoint cutback from Boka on the left which Yaya Toure passed into the bottom left corner. Six minutes later Drogba thundered a shot onto the crossbar from point-blank range to then have Romaric follow up with a header giving the Ivory Coast goal number two.

The third goal came late into the second half, Kalou was brought on as a substitute in the 64th, and then in the 82nd the Chelsea winger got the final goal. A cross which Kalou anticipated perfectly to tuck away, then the Ivory Coast had another disallowed goal from Dindane who finished off a cross which was just tipped by a teammate when he was in an offside position. A good score-line for a team people certainly would've wanted to see more of.

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.

Brazil can only grab 2-1 win over DPR Korea

An epic match to say the least, Brazil were going into this match thinking that at 5-0 they'd stop scoring, North Korea were convinced they could win.

Brazil - DPR Korea


The first half was a spectacle, not in the terms of Germany - Australia, but more in the terms of what is considered an unstoppable force in soccer, meeting a team determined to stop them. While Brazil are ranked first in the FIFA rankings, North Korea/DPR Korea are ranked 105th, but this didn't stop them from defending for their lives. Brazil tried everything in the first half but they always had two or three defenders in front of them, ready to stop anything.

In the second half things began to loosen up a bit, DPR Korea's defensive organization isn't as neat, and Brazil are more determined for the goal. The first goal comes 10 minutes into the half, Maicon overlaps on the right, and with the ball ready to go out for a goal kick soon, he cracks it at goal, right between Ri Myong-Guk and his post. A superb goal which will remind people of Roberto Carlos's famous goal for Real Madrid except from the left side.

The second goal came in the 72nd minute, Robinho threads a perfectly weighted pass to Elano to split the DPR Korea defence, and then Elano slots it home perfectly. But while Brazil thought that it was over, DPR Korea were resolute and were sure they could get something from the match, and they deserved something. In the 89th minute, Ji Yun-Nam skips right through the Brazil defence to blast the ball into the net for DPR Korea's only goal. Julio Cesar didn't do well on the shot, but it was a great goal by the North Koreans as they almost stunned the mighty Brazil.