15' BRA Luis Fabiano (YC)
25' BRA Juan (YC)
25' POR Duda (YC)
40' POR Pepe (YC)
43' BRA Felipe Melo (YC)
45' POR Coentrao (YC)
A very boring match, both sides were content to sit on the ball, I would almost say playing politics to keep Ivory Coast from having any hope of going through.
BRA Verdict: Another unconvincing performance from Brazil, yet they have finished atop their group. They will play Chile in the Round of 16.
POR Verdict: They might have played better than Brazil and fundamentally is was their best game yet, but they failed to create many chances or give their star player something to do. Portugal advances to play European Champions and Group H winners Spain.
Man of the Match: Nilmar (BRA)
North Korea 0-3 Ivory Coast
14' CIV Y. Toure (0-1)
20' CIV Romaric (0-2)
82' Kalou (0-3)
Early on it looked like maybe Ivory Coast could to the impossible and make up a goal differential of 10. However, North Korea decided to play anti-soccer and literally never attack.
PRK Verdict: Another performance expected of the North Koreans. They will be going home as expected with zero points, but to the surprise of many, almost beat Brazil and even scored against them.
CIV Verdict: A game where Les Elephants didnt play particularly or particularly poor, they won, but it wouldn't have made any difference because of Portugal's draw. The "Pride of Africa" will be going home early.
Man of the Match: Aruna Dindane (CIV)
Group G Final Standings
Brazil 7 (3)
Portugal 5 (7)
Ivory Coast 4 (1)
North Korea 0 (-11)
Spain 2-1 Chile
15' CHI Medel (YC)
19 CHI Ponce (YC)
21' CHI Estrada (YC)
24' ESP David Villa (1-0)
37' ESP Iniesta (2-0)
37' CHI Estrada (RC)
47' CHI Millar (2-1)
A first half dominated by the Spanish, and the second featured a lot of aimless play from both teams, and a ball that took a wicked deflection off Gerard Pique to catch San Iker wrong footed for a soft goal. David Villa once again had a marvellous strike from 45 yards out when the Chile 'keeper Bravo came off his line to make a tackle on Fernando Torres, and David Villa coolly placed it in from afar.
ESP Verdict: Another good, but not great showing from the Spaniards. La Roja, the reigning European Champions, have massive expectations on them, and are playing like they know it. They need to shake them down and play their game, because they are capable of running each team out of town if they play well. The Group H Winners will play Portugal in the Round of 16.
CHI Verdict: A decent showing from the Chileans, even if they couldn't execute their ideal gameplan against a capable Spanish side. The Chileans advance nonetheless and will play Brazil.
Man of the Match: David Villa (ESP)
Switzerland 0-0 Honduras
4' HON Thomas (YC)
34' SUI Fernandes (YC)
58' HON D. Suazo (YC)
65' HON Chavez (YC)
89' HON Palacios (YC)
Another bore nil-nil draw we've seen far too often at this world cup.
SUI Verdict: Same Swiss style, same Swiss lack of goals on both sides. Typical Swiss draw.
HON Verdict: About what we've seen from the Hondurans, but they will go home with a point, which is a positive result for them.
Man of the Match: Noel Valladares (HON)
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