Brazil once more showed their World Cup pedigree with a 3-0 win over Ghana in Dortmund. The World Champions raced into an early lead through Ronaldo and goals from Ze Roberto and did the trick to send them through to the next round to set up a quarter final battle with the winner of the France/Spain tie.
For Ghana it was a disappointing end to their World Cup 2006 but they can be thoroughly proud of what they achieved and know that with a bit of luck they could have more fiercely challenged a Brazilian side lacking the ability they possess on paper.
The Brazilians reverted to their original line up after resting Adriano and Emerson against Japan, the two players to make way were Juninho and Gilberto Silva whilst Ronaldo once more started up front despite his patchy form. Ghana began without Michael Essien because of suspension but started with the same formation and system which had frustrated the Czechs and beaten the USA.
The game started at a slow pace with Ghana eager to sit back and see what Brazil had before committing to anything. Before they knew it however they were behind to a well taken goal from Ronaldo. Played through by Kaka the World Cup goal scoring record holder proved he still has the samba skills as he performed a quick step over before slotting the ball into the net.
The cheeky smile of the Brazilian goal bagger told it all as his team mates celebrated a vital early goal, Ghana knew it was going to be tough to get back into the game but to their credit they didn't let the fact that they were a goal behind dent their confidence.
From the goal onwards Ghana became the better team, Matthew Amoah could have done better when slid into the Brazilian penalty area on twenty five minutes but Brazil could have also taken a 2-0 lead moment later when Kaka played a one two with Ronaldinho before the World Player of the Year hit a curling shot towards goal. The midfielder was denied this time however as he searched for his first goal of the tournament.
Just moments before half time, Dida made an excellent save with his feet after a head from Mensah. A corner whipped in went beyond the front post and was headed down well by the defender but ended too close to Dida who was able to change direction and kick the ball away to safety. It looked a if Ghana would be the ascendant team going into the second half despite being a goal down but just into stoppage time they received a cruel blow when Adriano scored his second goal of the tournament with his first meaningful involvement.
Kaka played in Cafu who drove the ball to the back post, waiting like a good forward at he far post Adriano found the net with a close range effort despite a deflection from the defender in front of him. It was a crushing blow to Ghana who had been by far the better side in the first half.
The second half however began in the same vein with Ghana making the better of the play; Asamoah came close to scoring on 69 minutes after being played through one on one with Dida. This was however the last act of the talented forward who was dismissed later on in the game for a second bookable offence, his second offense was attempting to dive to win a penalty when untouched by an opponent in the area.
Brazil pressed for a third against the ten men and through Ze Roberto ended the game on the right end of a flattering scoreline. When the ball was chipped though into the box the Munich player found himself one on one with the goalkeeper before knocking the ball past him and finishing it with his left foot into an empty net. Despite not being at their best for most of the match it was a performance of champions from Brazil who will have felt slightly harsh on Ghana whose efforts did not deserve such a negative result.
For Ghana it was a disappointing end to their World Cup 2006 but they can be thoroughly proud of what they achieved and know that with a bit of luck they could have more fiercely challenged a Brazilian side lacking the ability they possess on paper.
The Brazilians reverted to their original line up after resting Adriano and Emerson against Japan, the two players to make way were Juninho and Gilberto Silva whilst Ronaldo once more started up front despite his patchy form. Ghana began without Michael Essien because of suspension but started with the same formation and system which had frustrated the Czechs and beaten the USA.
The game started at a slow pace with Ghana eager to sit back and see what Brazil had before committing to anything. Before they knew it however they were behind to a well taken goal from Ronaldo. Played through by Kaka the World Cup goal scoring record holder proved he still has the samba skills as he performed a quick step over before slotting the ball into the net.
The cheeky smile of the Brazilian goal bagger told it all as his team mates celebrated a vital early goal, Ghana knew it was going to be tough to get back into the game but to their credit they didn't let the fact that they were a goal behind dent their confidence.
From the goal onwards Ghana became the better team, Matthew Amoah could have done better when slid into the Brazilian penalty area on twenty five minutes but Brazil could have also taken a 2-0 lead moment later when Kaka played a one two with Ronaldinho before the World Player of the Year hit a curling shot towards goal. The midfielder was denied this time however as he searched for his first goal of the tournament.
Just moments before half time, Dida made an excellent save with his feet after a head from Mensah. A corner whipped in went beyond the front post and was headed down well by the defender but ended too close to Dida who was able to change direction and kick the ball away to safety. It looked a if Ghana would be the ascendant team going into the second half despite being a goal down but just into stoppage time they received a cruel blow when Adriano scored his second goal of the tournament with his first meaningful involvement.
Kaka played in Cafu who drove the ball to the back post, waiting like a good forward at he far post Adriano found the net with a close range effort despite a deflection from the defender in front of him. It was a crushing blow to Ghana who had been by far the better side in the first half.
The second half however began in the same vein with Ghana making the better of the play; Asamoah came close to scoring on 69 minutes after being played through one on one with Dida. This was however the last act of the talented forward who was dismissed later on in the game for a second bookable offence, his second offense was attempting to dive to win a penalty when untouched by an opponent in the area.
Brazil pressed for a third against the ten men and through Ze Roberto ended the game on the right end of a flattering scoreline. When the ball was chipped though into the box the Munich player found himself one on one with the goalkeeper before knocking the ball past him and finishing it with his left foot into an empty net. Despite not being at their best for most of the match it was a performance of champions from Brazil who will have felt slightly harsh on Ghana whose efforts did not deserve such a negative result.