Ukraine v Brazil

Ukraine (6) v (0) Brazil

Rock-Solid Ukrainians

The Brazilians came to the pitch with their heads high, running hand in hand doing a wave at the crowd. Seconds later it started raining candy, thrown by Brazilian hands, the crowd responded with cheers and applause. The Brazilian crowd pleasing did not help them in the pitch however. They lacked accuracy, patience and tactics.
On the Ukrainian team, however, all of these skills were brilliantly demonstrated. Their fast combinations, great patience and good defending brought them through all 14 minutes of the game. Right from the start they were in control and kept ball possession in their favor, and slowly but surely scored their goals.
The Brazilian frustration became more and more obvious during the second half. They never really managed to give the Ukrainian defense trouble. They did not move in position for any serious attempts at goal, and when they had the chance, their strikes were too eager, shooting off target or too weak.
The Ukrainians were rock-solid, however. They kept cool throughout the game an kept the game in their control to the final whistle at 6-0.

By Mads Trolle Munksgaard