Group G: Portugal-Brazil *** North Korea-Ivory Coast

[Renew Deal]

There's not much to settle in this group. Brazil is in and Portugal is almost guaranteed to go through (+9 in goal differential over Ivory coast). The winner of Portugal-Brazil wins the group. Portugal-Brazil is the highest ranked matchup in the first round.

Brazil 6 +3
Portugal 4 +7
Ivory Coast 1 -2
North Korea 0 -8

Here are the scenarios:

Brazil has advanced. Wins group with:
(A) Win or tie versus Portugal

Portugal advances with:
(A) Win or tie versus Brazil
(B) Loss IF Ivory Coast does not win AND make up goal difference

Ivory Coast advances with:
(A) Win versus North Korea AND Portugal loss AND make up goal difference

North Korea has been eliminated.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5305482/ce/us/group-stage-scenarios?cc=5901&ver=us

Portugal-Brazil

http://www.fifa.com/live/competitions/worldcup/matchday=15/day=1/match=300111111/index.html

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=264072&league=FIFA.WORLD&cc=5901&ver=us

North Korea-Ivory Coast

http://www.fifa.com/live/competitions/worldcup/matchday=15/day=1/match=300061486/index.html

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=264071&cc=5901&ver=us

[Renew Deal]

1. 7 yellow cards in the first half of the Brazil game.

They have been playing pretty rough. 1 is for a dive and 1 for dissent.

[meow2u3]

2. Great game between Portugal and Brazil

Even though Brazil dominated the ball possession in the first half, Portugal's D has been tight and the goalie made some clutch saves. Rough game, too--Brazil and Portugal always play rough!

BTW, I don't think Ivory Coast is going to make up a 9-goal differential and the tiebreak. They're going to have to score 10 goals along with a loss for Portugal to get through....bridges in Brooklyn, anyone?

[insanity]

3. I was actually really disapointed

Neither team seemed willing to make chances and both moved the ball slowly and poorly. I thought it was a pretty negative game, with both sides playing for the point.

[MrCoffee]

4. You thought so?

I was bored to tears.