Brazil Make it Unchallenged to Quarterfinals
June 27, 2006
Defending champions Brazil advanced to the next round of the 2006 World Cup by beating Ghana 3-0 in a lackluster performance in Dortmund. The Selecao took advantage of early defensive chaos on the part of the Ghanaians, and Ronaldo set a record in the process.
The 29-year old striker, who has been in the line of fire over his weight by critics both at home and abroad, beat an offside trap in the fifth minute. Taking a pass from Kaka, the Real Madrid forward rumbled towards Richard Kingston, tricked the Ghana goalie with a classic step-over and deposited the ball into the empty net.
He broke German great Gerd Müller's record for World Cup goals with his 15th. The 1-0 lead was deserved after Ronaldo's crafty move, and 65,000 fans in the stadium were preparing for a rout.
But what they were treated to in the next 40 minutes was a disappointing, apparently self-satisfied Brazilian squad. Ghana took control of the game into their own hands, playing the kind of soccer that most expect from Brazilian teams -- fast combinations, one-touch passes and clever attacks into the penalty box.
The near equalizer turns into Brazilian goal
The patience of the Black Stars was paying off, and the crowd began to throw their weight behind the Africans, hoping for the equalizer. It almost came in the 42nd minute.
On a corner kick, Ghanaian defender John Mensah jumped unhindered to the ball and headed it down toward goal, but Brazilian keeper Dida, with more than with skill, stopped the imperfectly placed attempt with his foot.
Three minutes later Brazil defused another dangerous situation in their half and broke out. Kaka led the charge on the right and pushed the ball ahead to Cafu. The 36-year old captain sent in a cross to Adriano and the Ghana defense threw up their arms for an offside call. But the linesman kept his flag down, and the Inter man used his thigh to double Brazil's lead.
Incensed about the no-call, Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic heatedly discussed the goal with referee Lubos Michel and was told not to return to the bench in the second half.
Unspectacular but effective
In the second 45 minutes, Ghana again showed they wanted to turn the game around but with time, their passes became less accurate, their shots less dangerous. Dida had to prove his worth a few times, but Brazil were in control but showed little interest in upping the lead.
They played the ball slowly horizontally, and in the process had to endure the wrath of the partial crowd for much of the second half.
Man of the match Ze Roberto added the third goal after beating inattentive defenders. Roberto beat the keeper to the ball at the edge of the box, tipped it past Kingston and only had to redirect it for the final goal with just minutes to play.
The performance may not have impressed Brazilians back home, but they scored when the clear chances presented themselves. Something Ghana were unable to do.