Ouch!!!

Crouch was just too much for them to handle

England started with a goal before Brazil had the chance to touch the ball. This strong entrance set the track of the game and despite a flare of resistance from the Brazilians before the break, the beginning of the second half was more like a repetition, this time with two early goals. After that the British just had to control the result and the heat of the game, as the Brazilian players started losing their head and focused more on the flesh and less on the ball...

 

Mundialito Oporto Indoor (3rd round – group C)

June 22nd of 2014, 17 hours

England, 7
Brazil, 2

At Oporto indoor Games

England – Daniel Banks; Pedro Crouch (3), Nuno Ferdinand [C], Tony Lampard; Sergio Wright Phillips (1).

 

From the bench: Pedro Beckham (2), Leandro Lineker, Ricardo Rooney (1), Hugo Walcott, Max Seaman [GK].

Coach: Tózé Robson

Mid-term: 2-1

March of the score: 2-; 2-1; 4-1; 4-2; 7-2

 

 

Robson promoted one single change to the team, introducing Lampard in the starting line-up, instead of Beckham. Coincidentally or not, the truth is that was Lampard who saw Crouch, sneaking up the Brazilians back and made a pass that left the tall striker in front of goal. The result was the first goal, even before any member of the Brazilian team had touched the ball.

Both teams were through to the final stage of the competition, no matter what the result of the game would be, but of course both of them were interested in the first position of the group. Having an advantage in the goal average, England only needed a tie and this early advantage was better than expected.

Winning 2-1 at the break and having the game pretty much in the hand, the beginning of the second half was pretty similar to the first. Although the ball started in the Brazilian side, as soon as the British recovered possession, Beckham scored. Immediately after came a new goal, Rooney style, passing through a small space and shooting the net, even with a narrow angle.

Brazil reduced the difference not to long after that but it never came back to the game. Instead became more nervous, arguing with the referee and opponents and lost focus.

By that time, Crouch was already under the spotlights and the Brazilians were charging him for their misfortune, not minding to hit him hard, if that was what it took to stop him.

Enough is enough and Crouch was finally spared in the last minutes of the game. But not before scoring his third goal.

But Crouch didn’t just made a hat-trick. Wright Phillips “punched the card” for the third game in a row, enjoying a great pass from… Crouch. 

In the game with the higher difficulty level, England managed to get the best result in the group and is now heading to the quarter finals where we’ll meet Argentina. A real classic coming up!

 

Man of the game

Pedro Crouch – 8

A real headache to the Brazilians, who never found a way to stop him within the law boundaries. Three goals and a great assist that allowed Wright Phillips to punch the card as usual.

 

 

The other members

Ferdinand & Lineker – 5

Lampard, Rooney, Walcott & Seaman – 6

Banks & Beckham – 7

Wright Phillips – 8