Both Brazil and Portugal played a virtual practice game in a disappointing scoreless draw in Durban POR: 0 BRA: 0
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban Crowd: 62,712 Officials Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico) Assistants: Hector Vergara (Can) & Marwin Torrentera (Mex) Fourth officials: Paul O'Leary (New Zealand) Yellow cards:POR - Duda, Tiago, Pepe BRA - Juan, Melo, Fabiano
Red cards: none MATCH REPORT Two of the more attractive footballing side's at the World Cup played out a tedious goalless draw in what was played at a practice game pace. With both Brazil and Portugal virtually assured of a last 16 place, unless there was an unlikely combination of results elsewhere, you expected both teams to play with more freedom.
As it turned out the name of the game was to remain undefeated and in Portugal's case they have extended their unbeaten sequence to 18 games with 19 clean sheets in 23.
Brazil were the more positive of the two but created few chances against the massed ranks of the Portuguese defence. Nilmar came closest but was denied by a fine save from keeper Carvalho Eduardo.
Perhaps Portugal were minded the last time they tasted defeat was 6-2 against Brazil in November 2008 and were determined that scoreline would not be repeated.
Ronaldo was Portugal's main attacking threat in a team designed to defend rather than provide a feast of flowing football. But even the Real Madrid star was limited to optimistic long range efforts.
With both side's having an eye on the next round honours were even as Brazil took top spot in Group G and Portugal preserved their 100% clean-sheet record in the tournament. Starting Line-Ups
POR
1. Carvalho Eduardo 21. Miguel Ricardo Costa 6. Ricardo Carvalho 2. Eduardo Bruno Alves 5. Sergio Duda (Simao, 54) 19. Cardoso Tiago 15. Kleper Pepe (Mendes, 64) 16. Jose Raul Meireles (Veloso, 84) 10. Miguel Danny 7. Cristiano Ronaldo 23. Alexandre Fabio Coentrao SUBS
12. Antonio Beto (GK) 3. Paulo Ferreira 4. Jorge Rolando 8. Pedro Mendes 9. Da Silva Liedson 11. Sabrosa Simao 13. Luis Miguel 14. Miguel Veloso 18. Miguel Hugo Almeida 22. Daniel Fernandes (GK) BRA
1. Soares Julio Cesar 2. Sisenando Maicon 3. Ferreira Lucio 4. Silveira Juan 6. Fernandes Michel Bastos 13. da Silva Dani Alves 8. Gilberto Silva 5. De Carvalho Felipe Melo (Josue, 44) 21. Honorato da Silva Nilmar 19. Cesar Julio Baptista (Ramires, 82) 9. Clemente Luis Fabiano (Grafite, 85)
SUBS
12. Heurelho Gomes (GK) 11. De Souza Robinho 14. Anderson Luisao 15. Emiliano Thiago Silva 16. Da Silva Gilberto 17. Anunciado Josue 18. Nascimento Ramires 20. Jose Kleberson 23. Libano Batista Grafite 22. Alexander Doni (GK)
