Brazil 2-1 Turkey
A controversial late penalty by Rivaldo handed Brazil a 2-1 victory over a Turkey side who saw two men sent off in a gripping opening game in Group C.
Aston Villa's Alpay was sent off in the 85th minute after hauling down Luizao, although the offence took place just outside the penalty area.
It was rough justice on Turkey who impressed with their commitment and skill, and led at half-time thanks to Hasan Sas' expertly-struck injury-time goal.
But early in the second half, Ronaldo capped his impressive display with the equalising goal as he converted Rivaldo's cross.
Brazil enjoyed the majority of the chances, but committed Turkey held out, only to blot their copybook with late indiscipline which saw Hakan Unsal also red-carded for petulantly kicking the ball at Rivaldo.
Brazil started brightly, and on seven minutes Ronaldinho's audacious 25-yard chip was just too high, with Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Recbar stranded.
But the Turks weathered Brazil's early pressure and almost took the lead on 19 minutes.
Ironically, Turkey had made an utter hash of a free-kick 20 yards from goal, but amid the confusion, Blackburn Rovers' Tugay lashed in a powerful drive which deflected off Gilberto Silva and shaved Brazil's crossbar.
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MATCH FACTS |
47 mins: Hasan Sas gives Turkey a shock lead in first-half injury time
50 mins: Ronaldo diverts Rivaldo's cross past Rustu to equalise
61 mins: Rivaldo's header is ruled out for offside
85 mins: Alpay is sent off for fouling Luizao and Rivaldo scores the spot-kick
92 mins: Hakan Unsal sees red for kicking the ball at Rivaldo
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A scrappy spell followed, but a fierce Juninho strike on the half-hour brought the crowd to life, as it whizzed just over.
Yet the half ended in dramatic fashion with a flurry of chances for Brazil, and a Turkish goal.
A brilliant save by Rustu stopped a Rivaldo header on 40 minutes, the Barcelona striker latching on to Ronaldo's great cross.
Alpay was fortunate to escape with a yellow card after tripping the lively Ronaldo as the Inter Milan man was racing on to Juninho's pass.
That was after Rustu had saved from Rivaldo, and the keeper was again in action in injury time as Ronaldinho's intricate skill fashioned a chance which the Turkish keeper stopped with his legs.
Yet with just seconds remaining of the half, Turkey scored.
Yildiray Basturk crossed from an unthreatening midfield position, but Hasan Sas had nipped in behind the Brazilian back line and thrashed the ball past Marcos to give Turkey the lead.
It was a surprise which delighted their vociferous fans, but the joy was short-lived as Luiz Felipe Scolari's half-time team talk paid instant dividends for Brazil.
After a fine block prevented Ronaldo, the Inter Milan striker did score on 50 minutes, expertly diverting Rivaldo's cross past Rustu.
A sublime piece of trickery four minutes later gave Ronaldo another chance, although Rustu was alert to his curling shot.
The second half continued in gripping fashion. Ronaldo, then Roberto Carlos both came close for Brazil, before Turkey's Hakan Unsal blasted a Roberto Carlos-esque free-kick which Marcos spiled.
Brazil were doing most of the attacking, however, Lucio seeing Rustu save a close-range header, and Rivaldo seeing a header ruled out for offside.
Goalscorer Ronaldo made way for Luizao on 73 minutes, Scolari opting to rest the resurgent star.
Brazil's threat remained, however, and a thunderous drive from Rivaldo whistled inches over the top, and Roberto Carlos wayward right foot shot flying high.
But with five minutes remaining, there was high drama as Alpay was red-carded for hauling down Luizao.
Referee Kim Young-Joo rightly sent Alpay off, but awarded Brazil a penalty despite the fact the offence was just outside the area.
Rivaldo had no worries, however, as he slotted home the spot-kck with aplomb.
There was still time for late drama, as Hakan Unsal received a second yellow for kicking the ball at Rivaldo at a corner kick - although the Brazilian's over-dramatic reaction contributed to the Turk's downfall.
Brazil: Marcos, Cafu, Lucio, Roque Junior, Carlos, Edmilson,
Juninho Paulista (Vampeta 72), Gilberto,
Ronaldinho (Denilson 67), Rivaldo, Ronaldo (Luizao 73).
Subs Not Used: Belleti, Ceni, Dida, Edilson, Junior, Kaka,
Kleberson, Polga.
Booked: Denilson.
Goals: Ronaldo 50, Rivaldo 87 pen.
Turkey: Rustu, Korkmaz (Mansiz 66), Akyel, Alpay, Unsal, Ozat, Basturk (Davala 65), Emre, Tugay (Erdem 88), Sukur, Sas.
Subs Not Used: Abdullah, Asik, Ergun, Izzet, Nihat, Okan, Omer,
Tayfur, Zafer.
Sent Off: Alpay (86), Unsal (90).
Booked: Akyel, Unsal, Alpay.
Goals: Sas 45.
Att: 33,842
Ref: Young Joo Kim (Korea).
| MATCH STATS |
| | Brazil | Turkey |
| Corners (1st half) | 1 | 3 |
| Corners (2nd half) | 3 | 0 |
| Fouls committed | 16 | 19 |
| Caught offside | 3 | 1 |
| Shots on target | 14 | 4 |
| Shots off target | 7 | 2 |
| Hit woodwork (back into play) | 0 | 1 |
| Yellow cards | 1 | 3 |
| Red cards | 0 | 2 |
| STOPPAGE TIME | |
| First half - 3 mins | Second half - 4 mins |
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