Disappointing first game as Ivory Coast and Portugal fail to make a goal in this 0-0 draw. What happened Ronaldo?
What we expected
Portugal’s first win – This is a high profile game with one of the best players in the World, Cristiano Ronaldo. We expect him to be at the top of his game and provide the fire that Portugal needs keep the Ivory Coast down, especially after such a poor performance during the qualifying. One of the major disappointments of this World Cup is the absence of Nani, who suffered a collarbone injury earlier this month.
Throughout the World Cup we do expect a push from Drogba but since he will be benched for this game, after not fully recovering from an arm injury, we don’t expect much from the Ivory Coast.
First Half
The game starts with quite the possession by Ivory Coast who had some nice runs but failed to get a ball to a striker in the box. A yellow card for Zokora a minute later for a challenge to Ronaldo results in a unsuccessful free kick for Ivory Coast.
First major shot to goal in the 11th minute as Cristiano Ronaldo soars a 40 yard kick that hits the post. We’re hoping we see a lot more of this Ronaldo as the game progresses.
The first half does not go by without a little bit of drama. When Ronaldo is involved – should we expect any less? At the 21st minute Ronaldo goes down, and starts a pushing match between him and the closest Ivory Coast player who happens to be Guy-Roland Demel. Demel and Ronaldo both get yellow cards.
The first half ends just, boring. No real opportunities as all the active members at the start of the game start looking sluggish. It makes me wonder whether or not Ivory Coast will play Didier Drogba in the second half – Would it be worth it?
Second Half
Ivory Coast has definitely surprised me this game – Deco, Liedson, Ronaldo don’t seem to be getting anywhere at the beginning of this half. Ivory Coast is strong, agile and have been able to really challenge the Portuguese team even without Drogba.
A world without Drogba doesn’t last long, however, as he’s substituted in to replace Solomon Kalou at the 65th minute. Portugal really gets their s#$t together now, as Simao (who was substituted in for Danny in the 55th minute) gets two corners followed by a free kick by Ronaldo with little to show for it.
Ronaldo gets ooooh so close again in the 80th minute when a free kick results in a ball soaring over the bar but fails to find a goal. And so it goes as the game ends with a 0-0 draw.
What’s Next?
Watch Brazil vs. Ivory Cost on June 20 at 2:15pm ET and Portugal go head to head with North Korea the next day at 7:15am.
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