2010 FIFA World Cup: Portugal Prove Brazil Are Virtually Unbeatable

Clearly, the game in Durban between super-heavyweights Brazil and Portugal didn't turn out to be the feast of football the whole world expected.

As hundreds of millions tuned in to see Cristiano Ronaldo destroying defences and Luis Fabiano trying to claim the Golden Boot, they were left disappointed with a scrappy, bitty affair in which there were more yellow cards shown than clear-cut goalscoring opportunities.

The most entertaining aspect of the game perhaps had to be Brazil head coach Dunga going loopy on the touchline, bemoaning the complete lack of attacking creativity shown by his players.

But in all honesty, the Selecao boss didn't really need to get so worked up, as it was clear his team simply weren't going to be beaten, even if they couldn't find a match-winning goal in the dying seconds.

All of the statistics from the 62,000+ sell-out encounter clearly show Brazil were the far more dominant team.

For a start, Brazil had far more possession that Portugal, having 68.5 percent of the ball compared to their opponents' measly 31.5 percent.

Now of course, it could be said that possession doesn't really matter much, as Switzerland proved in Group H against Spain, but in this match it does, considering Portugal, for all their attacking talent, clearly aren't a defensive team who play without the ball.

Also, Brazil had two more shots on-target than Portugal, as well as three more corners, and a much higher passing success rate.

All evidence to prove that the Samba Kings had the better of their opponents, who most likely would have lost had they not frustrated captain Cristiano Ronaldo by employing a very defensive strategy and soaking up the pressure from Brazil.

Whilst Brazil were unable to breakdown the packed out defensive walls from Portugal, they did have their opponents pinned back in their own half and away from the danger of conceding a goal.

Against a more attacking team (in normal circumstances, considering Portugal knew a draw would see them through to the last 16), Brazil would've most definitely been able to break through and score quite a few goals, as Ivory Coast found out to their 3-1 demise.

For their part, Portugal defended well with 22-year old left-back Fabio Coentrao possibly being the star of the show, with great ability going forward to complement strong defending against the likes of Brazil's Luis Fabiano, Grafite, and Maicon, all of whom have a much bigger physique than the dynamic Benfica whizkid.

However, the Portuguese really did offer little going forward, despite making Inter Milan's Julio Cesar work a few times in between the sticks for Brazil.

Perhaps with Elano, Kaka, and Robinho on the field, the disappointment of a bore draw wouldn't have existed.

With that attacking trio on the pitch, one might say Brazil would've eased their way to a 1-0 or 2-0 win.

Nevertheless, a 0-0 draw and just one point may not the be result Brazilians wanted, but it was a performance that proves just how tough it is going to be for any team who dares come up against these Samba Kings.

Portugal spent a lot of the match pinned in their own half and not able to go forward, exemplifying two things: Brazil's "double pivot" with two holding midfielders ahead of the back four works wonders, and that attack really is the best form of defence.

From this showing, Brazil once again look like the clear favourites to walk the competition.

Scoring against the Selecao will be very tough, but trying not to concede against them will be a much tougher task altogether.

As was written by this writer in a previous article , head coach Dunga has created a potent Brazilian force with the most potential now to go ahead and win the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Watch this space.