June 27: The Daily World Cup Wrap

What a relief. After yesterday’s Ukraine vs Switzerland paint drying contest, we saw Ghana outskill Brazil (though Brazil’s understanding of the offside trap saw them win 3-0) and a pulsating end to end game between France and Spain.

Ronaldo made history, becoming the World Cup’s all time top scorer with 15. He still doesn’t look like a professional footballer, all bulgy in his Brazil jersey, but with one beautiful stepover he reminded us why he used to be the best.

Daily Wrap Awards:

Top Man: Ronaldo. All time top scorer.

Top Team: France.

Top Goal: Zidane’s. Perfectly calm.

Bit of Skill: Ronaldo’s stepover.

Saw That Coming: Brazil beating Ghana.

But Not That: Ghana playing the better football.

Brazil vs Ghana | LiveBlog | Brazil World Cup Gear, Ghana World Cup Gear

Brazil 3 (Ronaldo 5, Adriano 46+, Ze Roberto 84)
Ghana 0

Ghana played some great attacking football, but more or less committed World Cup suicide by playing a crazy 40 yard off-side trap. They had reason to regret it after just five minutes, when Kaka played a through ball and Ronaldo ran through unopposed. One magic stepover later, Ronaldo was beyond Ghanaian keeper Kingson and stroking the ball into an empty net to become the World Cup’s all time top scorer.

The suspended Michael Essien was visibly frustrated in the dugout. He would have loved to wear a Ghana jersye today but had to settle for one of this giant passes on green string around his neck. Despite their early setback, Ghana held the high offside line and continued to press forward, with Appiah and Muntari impressive in midfield. The final product wasn’t quite there, as shooting efforts by Gyan and Amoah failed to cause Dida any real problems. Ghana’s best chance fell to Mensah whose close range headers somehwo stayed out when Dida saved with his feet.

Ghana bravely pressed on, but Adriano doubled the lead in first half injury time from one of Brazil’s many counterattacks. He was offside not once but twice during the move. Once when Lucio played the ball wide to Cafu (though he was technically not interfering with play) and once again when he scored from Cafu’s cross.

Gyan (recently retuned from suspension) was sent off after collecting two needless bookings, one for kicking the ball away and the other for blatantly diving. Ze Roberto finally knocked Africa’s only remaining team out of the World Cup. Another through ball, another broken offside trap, and Ze Roberto cleverly nicked the ball around Kingson to score Brazil’s third.

An adventurous kamikaze effort from Ghana then, and a solid, professional display from Brazil.

Video highlights here.

Fan Photos:

• Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
• Want to discuss todays action? Go to the Brazil or Ghana team pages.
• Buy World Cup tickets to Brazil’s next match.

France vs Spain | LiveBlog | France World Cup Gear, Spain World Cup Gear

France 3 (Ribery 41, Vieira 83, Zidane 92+)
Spain 1 (Villa [pen] 28)

Spain’s bright young things didn’t have enough to get past the experienced heads of France. Zinedine Zidane, returned to the team after being suspended for France’s only Group G win, rolled back the years with an excellent display. There had been discontented murmurs that Zizou’s presence slows down the French tempo, but the old geezer seemed to make a point of keeping the ball moving. Thierry Henry was a constant threat, though more to the linesmans shoulder muscles than to the goal, as he was caught offisde with remarkable regularity.

Spain made a bright start, and were ahead after Pablo was clipped from behind by Thuram in the box. David Villa stepped up and struck a confident penalty low to Barthez’s right.

The surprisingly impressive Frank Ribery had France back on level terms a few minute before half time. He played the ball into Vieira who faked a pass to Henry (who wisely raised his arms and stood still, indicating he was offise, but passive) before returning the ball to a just onside Ribery. A quick swerve of his hips and Ribery was round the keeper and striking the ball home. His celebration was fantastic, running half the length of the pitch to jump into what looked like the entire French bench, who had all risen in celebration.

The pace slowed down a little in the second half, but France took the lead when Zidane’s cross from a free kick (dubiously won by Thierry Henry, he was either badly fouled by Puyol or he dived, I’d like to see it again) was headed home by Vieira. You could see the look of here we go (home) again written on Spanish faces. Zidane put a neat line under the evening. Receiving a through ball from substitute Wiltord, he cut inside Puyol before calmy firing just inside Casillas’ near post.

Spain make yet another second round exit, while Zidane’s long goodbye will continue with a mouthwatering quarter-final clash against Brazil, who probably still have nightmares about the beating he gave them in the 1998 final. Can’t wait.

Video highlights here.

Fan Photos:

• Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
• Want to discuss todays action? Go to the France or Spain team pages. .
• Buy World Cup tickets to France’s next match.