World Cup Preview: Portugal versus Brazil
Brazil and Portugal conclude group play on June 25. The match will take place at 10:00 AM ET. It will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
At the same time, fellow Group G members North Korea and the Ivory Coast will finish their respective first round campaigns. At around noon on June 25, it will be known which two teams will advance to the knockout round of the 2010 World Cup.
Although Brazil has traditionally been one of the top teams in the world (and they will be favored in this game), Portugal has fared pretty well against them. The two Portuguese-speaking rivals have faced each other four times since 2002 (all friendlies), with Portugal winning twice and drawing once.
Portuguese fans are hoping their performance in qualifying was an aberration. The 2006-semifinalists underachieved in qualifying, finishing behind Denmark and needing a playoff with Bosnia to qualify. Star midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo appears to be healthy now, and the team is determined to live up to the lofty expectations that have been set for them.
Brazil enters the 2010 World Cup as the number one-ranked team in the world. If Ronaldo is the best player on the field, it won’t be by much as Brazil has Kaka to counter. The artistic playmaker has become a central figure in manager Dunga’s game plan. Kaka has scored 26 goals in 73 appearances for the national team.
This has all the makings of a very exciting match. Depending on what happens in their first two games, Portugal may be fighting for a chance to survive to see the second round and they will bring everything they have. And while Brazil is the clear favorite, Portugal has a level of talent that is on par with anyone else’s in the world when firing on all cylinders.
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