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The Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban bares witness to a clash between two timeless rivals, bound by a common language. On 25th of June, Group G gives us the first and probably the most star-studded and final worthy encounter of this edition of the FIFA World Cup. It's a clash etched in the appointment diaries and calendars of almost every football fanatic as it promises us to provide entertaining football and logic-defying moments to say the very least. 5-time World Champions Brazil will pit their wits against a talented Portuguese team who are riding high on their largest World Cup triumph in history and a game of great quality and even more action is said to unravel on Friday.

(Click here for the Match Report)

After flattering to deceive in their campaign openers both the Selecao and Selecao Das Quinas captivated the world with their flamboyant and fluent football against their hapless opponents in the second round of group stage fixtures. This ‘Clash of the Titans' has produced a lot of goals in the past with their last World Cup collision also proving to be quite a lively affair with the Europeans winning 3 - 1, almost 2 decades before the birth of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal

Carlos Queiroz's team crippled a supposedly stubborn and hard-working North Korean team after putting 7 goals past a side who had so very bravely fought against the Brazilians a week ago. The former Real Madrid coach made a number of changes in personnel coming into the encounter with Simao's presence in place of Danny on the left and Hugo Almeida leading the line replacing Liedson being the most noteworthy. The Portuguese ran riot in the 2nd half entering the second period of 45 minutes with a single goal lead thanks to Raul Meireles. In the 53rd minute Simao turned the ‘Destroy' button as his goal turned out to be the first of many more. Tiago grabbed a rare brace while Cristiano Ronaldo, who was simply magical in the 2nd half also picked up a deserved goal for his country, ending his dry-spell at the international level that lasted almost 17 months.

Portugal are all but through to the round of 16 with their opponents on the night having assured themselves a place in the knockout rounds already and having little but pride and honour to play for. If Cristiano Ronaldo and the boys lose to the Samba Kings, Ivory Coast would have to win by quite a margin, considering Portugal's current 9 goal edge over the Africans. The prospect of facing overwhelming favourites Spain in the round of 16 looms large over the team but after a 7-0 demolition of a World Cup finalist one wouldn't deny them the right to call themselves ‘Gunning for Glory'.

Brazil

Brazil's performance against the Ivory Coast can be described as ‘flawless', ‘suave' or even ‘bewitching'. Banging in 3 brilliantly worked goals, two of them coming via the main target man Luis Fabiano with Elano chipping in with his second of the tournament was nothing more than what the 5 time World Champions would have asked for. The antics of Kader Keita in the dying minutes saw Kaka see red and miss the mega-encounter against the Portuguese but with qualification to the knockout round sealed the Brazilians wouldn't be mulling too much over the loss of their comrade.

Dunga's team has the balance of a club side with every player fitting perfectly in the jig-saw puzzle. It's a team built on unity and team-spirit not on individual flair and some would say it is reminiscent of the 94' World Cup winning squad. Coach Dunga, captained that World Cup winning side and his experience and inspiration has given this team an edge over all the other 31 participating nations. The squad consists of players coming from the Turkish League, Bungesliga, Serie A and even La Liga and all the different styles and footballing cultures have blended to make this a cohesive and solid Brazilian team. It comes as no surprise that amongst all the favourites in the tournament, the Samba Kings have reigned supreme until now, winning both their games. They have the mentality and character of war-heroes who can unearth a victory from the most obstinate gravel and dust.

Form Guide

Portugal (WDWWD)

25-05-2010 Portugal 0 - 0 Cape Verde Islands
02-06-2010 Portugal 3 - 1 Cameroon
08-06-2010 Portugal 3 - 0 Mozambique
15-06-2010 Côte d'Ivoire 0 - 0 Portugal  - Match Report
21-06-2010 Portugal 7 - 0 Korea DPR - Match Report

Brazil (WWWWW)

03-03-2010 Ireland Republic 0 - 2 Brazil
02-06-2010 Zimbabwe 0 - 3 Brazil
07-06-2010 Tanzania 1 - 5 Brazil
16-06-2010 Brazil 2 - 1 Korea DPR - Match Report
21-06-2010 Brazil 3 - 1 Côte d'Ivoire - Match Report

Key Battles

Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Michel Bastos

The talented left back will have his most active night in his international career as the threat of the menacing Cristiano Ronaldo looms ahead. Bastos loves to move forward and join the Brazilian attack, sometimes also taking the pdd shot on, making us re-live the greatness of one Roberto Carlos, but it'll be a habit he will have to suppress unless he wants to be utterly overwhelmed by the Portuguese superstar. Their clubs did collide in the UEFA Champions League last season with Bastos's team Lyon beating the much fancied Real Madrid on aggregate to qualify for the Quarter Finals. Bastos played only a few minutes in the whole tie but he will be well aware through harrowing tales from his team-mates about what he shall be facing in his rendezvous with Ronaldo.

Ricardo Carvalho vs. Luis Fabiano

The steady and trustworthy Carvalho will take on the job of not allowing the bamboozling Fabiano a sight of goal. With two goals already to his name in these finals, Fabiano is slowly but surely getting the form back that saw him send a chill down the spine of every La Liga defence with Sevilla. The 29-year old striker's goal poaching ability coupled with decent dribbling skills and physical presence make him a rare breed of strikers and one can see why the Samba Kings are so dependent on him. 32-year old Carvalho is a quality centre-back who can take on the burliest of strikers at the peak of his fitness. The Portuguese center-half isn't blessed with great physical presence but is mentally agile and isn't scared of a battle. An intriguing tussle between these two maestros is set to unravel on the pitch this Friday.

Probable Line-Ups

Portugal (4-3-3): Eduardo, Miguel, Alves, Carvalho, Coentrao, Mendes, Ronaldo, Tiago, Meireles, Simao, Almeida

Carlos Queiroz in all certainty would start with the same team that thumped North Korea 7 - 0. Miguel and Coentrao will bomb forward whenever possible but the threat of Robinho and Elano will reduce that desire for adventure to a certain extent. Cristiano Ronaldo and Simao will maraud the flanks cutting inside whenever possible while also giving company to sole striker Hugo Almeida. Raul Meireles and Tiago will marshal the midfield with their ability to make forward runs also being a lethal weapon for the Portuguese.

Brazil (4-2-3-1): Caesar, Maicon, Juan, Lucio, Bastos, Gilberto, Elano, Melo, Robinho, Baptista, Fabiano

The Selecao play quite an unconventional formation though it seems to be getting the best out of all their players. In the absence of Kaka, Julio Baptista could come into midfield and provide an added attacking physical presence. Gilberto and Felipe Melowill sit in front of the back four to provide cover while the front four go about doing their business. Alternatively, Dunga may also opt to move Elano into a more central role and give Dani Alves or Nilmar a start on the right side of the forward line.

Prediction - This game is a tough one to call with both teams looking really good and wanting to make their mark on the international stage. It could be one of those rare games where the superiority of the attackers will determine the winner and not the doggedness of the defence. Brazil seem to have the better options and with their greater flair all over the pitch, one wouldn't be too comfortable to look past them. Brazil to win by a single goal in an exciting affair in Durban

Predicted Scoreline: Portugal 1 - 2 Brazil

Also Read

Brazil 3 - 1 Côte d'Ivoire - Match Report

Portugal 7 - 0 Korea DPR - Match Report

Ivory Coast vs. North Korea - Match Preview

Robinho Photograph Copyright: Reto Stauffer

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