Wednesday marks the second day of action for Group A, and we'll get things started with Portugal taking on the Czech Republic. After their first game, each side sits on a full 3 points, with Portugal just ahead with a superior goal differential. Portugal is coming off 2-0 victory over Turkey while the Czechs recently knocked off Switzerland 1-0. Will Portugal's attack prove too much for the Czechs, or will another patient game yield a result similar to their 1-0 win? As you follow along today, I pose this questions for you that the ESPN analysts have discussed: To you personally, is Cristiano Ronaldo the best player in the world today?
Running Commentary:
Final: Portugal wins by the score of 3-1, and sits in ideal position to advance, assured of a place in the quarterfinals if Switzerland does anything but win this afternoon. What did you think of the match? With a goal and an assist in the second half I think Ronaldo stepped up big time, and Portugal despite some shaky defending looks a safe bet to make it through if not win the group.
90th: GOAL: Portugal seals it, 3-1. A quick free kick finds Ronaldo in behind the defense, he forces Cech to commit then lays off for Quaresma to slide into the empty net.
88th: Quaresma dances a bit and his shot is deflected out for a... goalkick? I think the ref unit got that one wrong!
83rd: Sionko with a header saved just over by Ricardo. Corner to the Czech Republic.
80th: Sorry for the lack of posts, still 2-1 Portugal, Quaresma is coming on for Simao.
63rd: GOAL: Portugal retakes the lead on a Ronaldo strike! 2-1 Portugal. Deco passes to Ronaldo at the top of the box and he slots it past Cech for his first goal of the competition, and the moment many fans were waiting for.
62nd: Czechs came very close there, the header goes just wide of the post while Baros stands just out of reach.
59th: Great stuff from Deco, splits 2 defenders and slots a ball to Simao whos shot is directly at Cech who makes the save. For Red Bull fans wondering, no, Deco did not learn that one at the Claudio Reyna School for Attacking Midfielders.
55th: Wow, terrible giveaway in the back stolen by Nuno Gomes, but his shot inside the 18 is blocked out for a corner. No danger results at the moment.
46th: The second half is underway, let's hope for more goals in this second stanza.
Halftime: And we're halfway through this match, with the score level at a goal a piece. I believe Portugal has had the better of the play overall, but not by the wide margin I had expected. The Czech Republic has looked good, and certainly had attacking moments of their own. Ronaldo has had his times most certainly, but again he disappears for stretches of the game. For Portugal to come away with the victory they must continue to bring him into the game as it forces the Czech team to either play him straight up or leave space for other very capable players.
45th: Free kick in a good position about 30 yards out for Portugal, Ronaldo hits on goal and Cech gives up no rebound.
42nd: There has been more pressure from Portugal lately, and Ronaldo just unleashed a rip forcing a fantastic save by Cech.
31st: Yellow card to Bosingwa for a late challenge.
25th: Ronaldo with a shot on goal saved with no trouble by Cech.
23rd: Yellow card to Polak for a tackle on Pepe.
17th: GOAL: Czech Republic draws even at 1-1. Sionko with a powerful header to knot the game at 1. Each team has conceded their first goal of the tournament, and we've seen how the Czech Republic has responded. How will Portugal respond?
15th: Long range effort from Petit, easily dealt with by Cech. Milan Baros now heads just over on the other end of the pitch.
10th: The goal should force the Czech Republic's hand as they will have to try to find a goal at some point. This should lower the odds of a boring game. This is a bit unfair after a goal, but I forgot to mention before my prediction for this game was 2-0 Portugal, although there is certainly the potential for more than 2 with the early goal.
8th: GOAL: Portugal goes ahead early 1-0 on a goal by Deco! Strange goal as there is a loose ball in the box Cech can't quite hold on to, and Deco eventually gets it to go into the back of the net.
5th: Early on this has the look of a game that could be pretty open, and hopefully we'll be treated to some good attacking football.
1st: The Czech's kick off, and we're rolling.
Pre-game: The Portuguese are singing their hearts out, and the match is almost underway.
Pre-game: Both teams are expected to line up in a 4-5-1 with the Czechs sporting Milan Baros as the loan striker and Portugal giving that duty to Nuno Gomes. With Simao and Ronaldo manning the wings, expect a good deal of attack up the sidelines. Notables on the bench include Jan Koller for the Czech Republic and Ricardo Quaresma, Nani and Hugo Almeida for Portugal.
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