There was a lot of debate about Tore Andre Flo and the penalty against
Brazil, but it's history now; and so are Norway.
An early goal for the Squadra Azurra hinders the flow of play in a
knock-out game. Even a team trying to find their lone ranger needs to gain possession
first.
In the eighteenth minute, Vieri picked up Di Biagio's pass, near the
half-way line, and ran through the middle of the field; ignoring Henning Berg at his
heels, to end any hopes of a match.
Can Italian fans be happy with such a display?
For most of the game they didn't make much noise; then they get in
their cars and blare their horns.
Perhaps Norway didn't like the French food and wanted to get back to
Oslo.
Match Rating:
Poor Entertainment, melted like gelato in the sun when Vieri scored the only goal of the
game. Italy win (1:0).
Goals from two free-kicks and a penalty, in the first-half, gave
Brazil a comfortable lead before the break.
Sampaio beat the offside trap on Dunga's free-kick, in the eleventh
minute, to head in the first and side-footed the second into the corner of the goal after;
a free-kick from Roberto Carlos slammed through the wall and ricocheted off Bebeto.
A penalty from Ronaldo made it three after he was brought down by
Tapia.
Ten minutes into the second-half and Sampaio should have claimed a
hat-trick, as another free-kick fell to his feet at the far post.
The tempo slowed in the second-half, until Salas brought the game back
to life in the 67th minute; heading in, off Taffarel.
Ronaldo replied within three minutes, with a shot through the keeper's
legs and should have scored again, four minutes from the end, when he hit the bar from
close-range.
Match Rating:
A thrilling encounter although Chile was not hot enough. Brazil win (4:1).
