World Cup: Brazil & France to meet

Brazil beat Ghana 3-0 to book a place in the quarter-finals againest France yesterday. Brazil took just 5 mins to get the lead. A well-weighted pass from Kaka allowed Ronaldo to sprint clear of Ghana's defence. He then gave a trademark step-over that left Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson (who had a very good game) helpless on the ground, ran on and slid in the goal. It was his 15th goal in the history of the World Cup, making the Brazil marksman the most prolific scorer in the 76-year history of the tournament. Then came the second goal! Cafu raced down the right to break the offside trap and his low centre across the box was turned in off his knee by Adriano in the 45th min. When I first saw it, Adriano looked clearly offside. On replay, it was even clearer! He was off but the referee (& linesman) will always give this sort of decision to the Brazilians. The Ghanaians were very angry and with good reason. In the 83rd min, Ricardinho played a clever ball over the top of Ghana's backline and Ze Roberto beat the advancing Kingson, shepherding the ball into an empty net. But by then , the game was already over. Again, I must say that the referee helped Brazil a lot. Not for the first time in this World Cup, remember the 25-9 foul count Brazil had againest Australia! Such is the name 'Brazil', the referees just refuse to give fouls againest them. There were at least 2 incidents in the game that Brazilians player deserved (but did not get) yellow cards. If they were Ghanaian players, I believe the referee will have no problems with the cards, yellow or red! And that is why they will have a good chance of winning the whole thing. The name 'Brazil'!

France came from behind to beat Spain 3-1. A 28th min penalty from David Villa had given Spain the lead but just 4 mins later, Frank Ribery picked up the ball just inside the Spanish half, played a one-two with Patrick Vieira before rounding Iker Casillas and slipping the ball home. With the match headed for extra time, Vieira got his head to a Zinedine Zidane free-kick at the back post in the 83rd min. The header took a wicked deflection off Sergio Ramos and ended up in the back of Casillas’ net. 2-1 to France! Spain then pushed for an equaliser, and Zidane took advantage. He got a misplaced pass from Cesc Fabregas, turned past Carles Puyol and then steer a shot beyond Casillas once again. Once again Spain flattered to deceive in a World Cup! They have played very well but for some reason just couldn't win a major tournament. Luis Aragones started both Raul and Fabregas for a more attacking line-up but the changes didn't work. Especially for the change of Fabregas. He was preferred to Marcos Senna, but without Senna, Spain was lacking a ball-winner to contend with Vieira in the middle. I think the coach got that one wrong. As for France, they seem to be playing better and better. Vieira is very good these last 2 games and as long as they have Zidane, they can win againest anyone! But againest Brazil, the referee is going to be pro-Brazil again, so they will have their hands full.