PORTUGAL vs SPAIN

29/6/10 Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

Spain 1-0 Portugal

Goal Scorer: David Villa

RED CARD: Ricardo Costa

Well, the Iberian clash, Portugal vs. Spain was played out for the first time in World Cup history.

No. 7 was being overly dramatic, but I wish the Portuguese had gotten some goals. They had enough opportunities. I wish Cristiano Ronaldo did well, because everybody just blames him for everything. Of course, he could have done more, but the guy was not the only one in the wrong. Their coach could not come up with fresh tactics, and couldn't guide his team well. Ronaldo should never have been captain, he might be a great talent, but you can't choose someone as a leader because he is good at step-overs! And that red card was totally unnecessary. Crazy referees. So, bye Portugal. 

I think Spain truly has a chance of winning. The game was played out with intricate Spanish passes, almost twirling the ball instead of kicking it. The Spanish don’t run much, if I may; they mostly just pass, keeping most of the possession. They play so much in that midfield, it makes one dizzy.

They do have a bit of a problem scoring many goals. Torres is always in orbit, and if it were not for sparkly David Villa, I don't think they would have gotten very far. He is the player that is probably going to win that golden boot, and is on roaring fire form. There is nobody in the finals who can match up to his spirit. He is absolutely in love with soccer at the moment, and he is full of faith that he will score many tremendous goals. Go Espania! Ole, Ole, Ole...


Oh yes, Japan lost to Paraguay on penalties, even though they were the better side. They play good easy football too. So, that ends this round of the World Cup, which is going at such a scary speed, its so sad. I'm going to miss it! We had two rest days ahead of this game, and I felt rather disorientated. The day is weird when there are no matches. :(

Brazil vs Portugal

25/6/10 Moses Mabida Stadium, Durban

Brazil 0-0 Portugal

Brazil did not score, Portugal didn't bother, it was a painful and worse, boring match. I have not enjoyed the way the Samba boys have been playing anyway, way too many fouls and also so much defense. It is effective, but its not pretty. So, the Brazilians finished on top of the group, and Portugal came second.

Portugal vs North Korea

21/6/10 Green Point Stadium, Cape Town 


Portugal 7-0 North Korea 


Goal Scorers [there is a long list of them]: Meireles, Simao, Almeida, Tiago [2 goals], Liedson & Cristiano Ronaldo,


Yes, seven goals! I can hardly believe it.This is Ooh La La Soccer at its best.  A stunning game of smooth soccer, Portugal triumphed over the rest of the world with the World Cup's largest victory after eight years. 


 All the pessimists against the ball should be quiet and watch how the Portuguese danced with that ball, scoring almost deliciously. They didn't hold back and defend after three, they went forward to attack, and you just had to blink and they were celebrating once more. The ball drawn to the net as if it there was magnetizing force there, and we just watched in awe as the goals kept pouring in.  Enticing soccer from these Portuguese. 


They crafted the ball through the helpless Koreans and made endless passes, looking entirely at ease. The Koreans might have held the Brazilians back, but here they were dismantled and were stunned at the almost never ending streak of goals. The match seemed endless, I looked at the clock and was surprised that there was still 10 minutes until the end.


The first half did not note at the the impending victory. The Koreans themselves getting chances at goal. It was only until the 29th minute that Meireles fired in a goal.


After the second half, the Portuguese decided to show the world that they were going to slash those critics of theirs and win the trophy. Simao made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute. After some scintillating play, it was only three minutes after when Almeida to nodded it past the goalkeeper. Portugal were now tearing the Koreans apart, and the commentator remarked that it would be truly extraordinary if there were to get back on par. But Portugal were not taking any chances,they soon had their fourth goal, Tiago finding the net from Ronaldo's pass. Then Liedson got in on the score sheet after whipping past a defender.

And then, what I was waiting for, Cristiano Ronaldo's goal. Mr. Most Expensive Player in the World has had a tough time playing for his country, having not scored in for them in quite a long while. Then it almost happened, Ronaldo struck the top corner of the bar with a stunning strike, everybody sighing collectively.  Then the ball spun off Ri Myong-Guk and on to Ronaldo's back before  he dropped it from his head to his foot and tapped it in for an easy finish, ending it off with a relieved grin. Tiago's header one minute from time completed the magnificent seven.

The vuvuzelas roared in appreciation for the scintillating show the team had put up for them. 

“My goal was funny but I’m very happy,” said Ronaldo, "To score seven in a World Cup game is not easy, we played fantastic.”

Corte d'Ivoire vs Portugal

15/6/10 Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth

Corte d'Ivoire 0-0 Portugal

Yes, isn't funny? Another draw. This is the World Cup of draws. The ball has taken much criticism for the lack of goals in the tournament, and the numerous shots shot that have gone for goal have ended up very skew. It worked for Germany though, when they told it what to do.

This was supposed to be one of the best group matches, full of pace and goals, the sides competing hard to get their 3 points on the board before Brazil did. I could not believe how strained Cristiano Ronaldo looked, especially after that entertaining argument with the Ivorians. He has not scored a goal for the national team for two years now, and perhaps he should not be captain. Besides a gorgeously curved kick from the midfield aiming for goal, his spirit seemed caught up, and the rest of the team did not get of to a good start either. They keep fouling him anyway, leave the guy alone!

                                                                                                             Reuters

The Ivorians played marginally better, though they should have scored. They picked up their game in the last minutes, but it was not a proud performance. Drogba came on in the second half, having been cleared to play with his hand in a cast, but although making some difference in the match, the end came soon, and both teams sighed with the pressure of it all. Brazil was going to trounce them.

The serene conclusion, after a match full of pent up feeling and tryst, was Boubacar Barry making duah. May Allah Almighty guide us all.