The first half at Nelson Mandela Stadium was one of the most even of the tournament so far, with both teams pushing forward but giving no quarter in defence or in the tackle. Cote d'Ivoire’s attacking triumvirate of Gervinho, Salomon Kalou and Aruna Dindane confirmed themselves to be full of pace and movement, but it was Portugal’s own fleet-footed forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, who had the best chance of the opening period. 

The Real Madrid man turned something into nothing in the 11th minute when he smacked an unstoppable, dipping shot off the outside of the post to the goalkeeper’s right from 30 yards. But the Elephants were not fazed by the Germany 2006 semi-finalists, and shortly after Ronaldo‘s attempt, Siaka Tiene zipped a free-kick just past the post and Ismael Tiote fizzed a shot just over the bar. 

If the two teams engaged in trench warfare for the rest of the first half, the second half burst to life early on. Two minutes after the break, Gervinho’s shot was flapped at by goalkeeper Eduardo, and from the resulting corner, Tiate rose, but couldn’t get a clean header on it. Half chances came fast and furious then, with Gervinho’s wayward header from Tiote’s cross on the hour mark being the pick of the bunch. The introduction of Didier Drogba in the 66th minute threatened to turn up the action even more, but as a heavy shower settled on the area, the match lost some steam. 

As the clock ran down, Portugal went close from long range efforts from Raul Meireles and Ronaldo, while Kolo Toure might have done better at the far post with a header. In injury time, the west Africans pushed hardest and a chance finally came to Drogba, who clutched his injured arm throughout his time on the pitch, but the big Chelsea man hooked Kader Keita’s through-ball off target. 

Cote d'Ivoire will now face group favourites Brazil in Johannesburg’s Soccer City on Sunday, while Portugal take on Korea DPR the following day in Cape Town. 
 

• A조 (남아공,멕시코,우루과이,프랑스)

• B조 (아르헨티나,나이지리아,대한민국,그리스)

• C조 (잉글랜드,미국,알제리,슬로베니아)

• D조 (독일,호주,세르비아,가나)

• E조 (네덜란드,덴마크,일본,카메룬)

• F조 (이탈리아,파라과이,뉴질랜드,슬로바키아)

• G조 (브라질,북한,코트디부아르,포르투칼)

• H조 (스페인,스위스,온두라스,칠레)

The North Koreans kept Dunga's team scoreless until ten minutes into the second half when Maicon scored a stunning goal from an outrageous angle. When Elano doubled the lead with 18 minutes remaining, the contest appeared all over but a late goal from Ji Yun-Nam ensured Brazil endured some nervy moments in the final moments. 

On paper the contrast between the pair could not have been starker, in what was the nations' first-ever meeting. Five-time world champions Brazil are top of FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking while Korea DPR sit at 105. The Koreans came into the contest on a run of eight outings without a victory, while Brazil conversely, had won their previous four matches. 

The first half was largely all Brazil, though they had very few clear sights of goal. Kaka made a dangerous run into the penalty area in the opening minutes, which seemed likely to set the tone for the match, but the North Korean side, who conceded just seven goals in their 14 qualifying matches, showed just why they are known for their swarming defence. 

They were not without their own lively moments going forward either ? defender Cha Jong-Hyok fired a shot wide, while Japan-based striker Jong Tae-Se, who had tears streaming down his face as the national anthem played, offered plenty of drive in his role at the point of the attack. 

The nearest Brazil came to scoring in the first half was through a Michel Bastos drive from distance which clipped the roof of the net but, in truth, never looked like dipping under the crossbar. Korea DPR went into the half-time interval looking relatively comfortable, despite conceding 63 per cent of possession. The North Korean fans inside Ellis Park may even have allowed themselves at least brief thoughts of their favourites repeating the heroics of that famous defeat of Italy at England 1966. 

Brazil started the second half brightly, and a Bastos free-kick from a central position looked dangerous, but the blistering effort curved wide of the mark. The same happened with Robinho's snapshot moments later, as Brazil again found themselves forced to resort to shooting from distance. 

Ten minutes after the interval, though, a moment of brilliance from Maicon broke the deadlock. There appeared little danger as he chased down a slightly overhit pass into the penalty area, but with the ball just about to roll over the by-line, he blazed a shot between Ri Myong-Guk and the near post, in a goal reminiscent of fellow Brazilian right full-back Josimar at Mexico 1986. 

The goal opened up the match as the Koreans started to show more endeavour with numbers going forward. Luis Fabiano looked set to take advantage midway through the second half after being set up by Robinho but the Sevilla man could not find the target. The contest appeared over in the 72nd minute when Elano comfortably finished past an exposed Ri Myong-Guk, with Robinho the provider with an exquisite pass that checkmated the entire Korean defensive quartet. 

With the clock ticking down it was A Selecao who looked more likely to score a third, but with a minute of regular time remaining, Ji burst into the penalty area and drove a memorable strike past Julio Cesar - Korea DPR's first goal at a FIFA World Cup™ for 44 years.