Nuremberg, Germany – Portugal survived a brutal foul-fest with the Netherlands, one of the dirtiest matches in World Cup history. Cleats bashed into thighs and shoulders, heads butted and elbows flew. Players faked injuries, complained and brawled.
Every bit as ugly: the blaming and finger-pointing that came after Portugal’s 1-0 win Sunday, a victory that cost the Portuguese two key starters for their upcoming quarterfinal match with England.
“FIFA talks about fair play,” Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. “There was no fair play.”
The Dutch coach, Marco Van Basten, shot back, “If you talk about fair play, you should watch yourself first,” adding that the Portuguese needed the shenanigans to beat his young team.
“They were a bit more experienced with all these tricks and all this time wasting,” he said.
But when it came to expulsions, the sides were level at 2-2. The four red cards were a World Cup first.
It also means the Portuguese face England minus Deco and Costinha, who were ejected amid the pushing, shoving and theatrics that left both teams with nine men by the end.
Portugal also lost Cristiano Ronaldo, a creative attacker, who came off with a leg injury from a second harsh foul. His status was still uncertain.
The difference in the game was a beautiful goal by Maniche in the 23rd minute that came off a quick threat on the edge of the area. Pauleta touched the ball to Maniche, who skipped inside a defender and shot right-footed past goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar from 16 yards.
After that, the bile began to rise, and the best the Dutch could do in reply was send cross after cross. Veteran midfielder Phillip Cocu sent a volley crashing on the bar and out again in the 48th minute.
“It is sad there was so little soccer played in the second half,” Van Basten said.
With star striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy sidelined for tactical reasons, his replacement Dirk Kuyt came close twice, but not close enough.
The Netherlands also lost two players to red cards from Russian referee Valentin Ivanov – Khalid Boulahrouz and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
ENGLAND 1, ECUADOR 0
at Stuttgart, Germany : Fighting illness, David Beckham curled a trademark 25-yard free kick just inside the post in the 60th minute, his first goal for England in nearly 15 months.
A few minutes later, he vomited on the field because of dehydration, and left the match in the 87th minute.
“The last two days I’ve been struggling, even in training,” Beckham said.
The game turned when Edwin Tenorio fouled Frank Lampard outside the penalty area, giving England the free kick.
Today’s games
Italy vs. Australia, 9 a.m.,
ESPN, KCEC-50 (Spanish)
Switzerland vs. Ukraine, 1 p.m., ESPN, KCEC-50 (Spanish)
