Ronaldo makes World Cup history
By MSN’s Lee Harvey
Last updated: June 27 2006
Brazil 3 – 0 Ghana
He’s been pilloried by his own supporters. He’s rumoured to be estranged from his team mates. He’s apparently carrying some excess timber. And now he’s scored more World Cup goals than any other player. Ronaldo took just five minutes of this game to score his 15th World Cup goal and surpass Gerd Muller’s 32-year old record.
Brazil cruised through the opening exchanges. Ghana, shorn of the suspended Michael Essien, proceeded to play a kamikaze version of the offside trap that ensured they were opened up at will. With defenders looking for an offside flag that was never going to come, Adriano put Ronaldo through and, one stepover later, the Ghanaian goalie was on his backside and the ball was in the net.
To their credit, Ghana surged back into the game. With Brazil seemingly happy to sit on their one goal lead, Ghana made defenders Juan and Lucio look decidedly shaky. Muntari and Gyan found space in the penalty area but blazed shots over the top. A Muntari corner then found Pantsil three yards out but his header rebounded luckily off Dida’s foot and away to safety.
Despite their complacency, Brazil killed off the game on the stroke of half time. Lucio burst forward from the back and fed Cafu. The ageless full back raced down the right and crossed for a clearly offside Adriano to knee the ball into the net.
While Ghana battled throughout the second half, they were never going to get back in the game. Too many half chances flew into the stands. Their most profligate player Gyan was eventually sent off for diving ensuring Brazil could play out time with the bare minimum of effort.
There was still time for the Ghana defence to malfunction one last time. Ze Roberto burst from the half way line to score a third goal that gave the scoreline an incredibly flattering look. The tournament still awaits a truly Brazilian performance.
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