Brazil’s easy 3-1 win over Cote d’Ivoire will be overshadowed by late match petulance that lead to Kaká‘s ejection, but having clinched a spot in the knockout stage with their win Sunday, the Selecão can take consolation in being able to rest their star in a match of limited importance.
World Cup 2010, Brazil Vs. Cote D’Ivoire: Kaka Dismissal Overshadows Dominant Brazil Win
Luis Fabiano scored Brazil’s first two goals, one on each side of halftime, before Kaká set-up Elano for the third. Didier Drogba would head home a late consolation to give the African continent their first goal in World Cup play against Brazil. The match would end 3-1 but not before controversy.
A contentious final fifteen minutes saw French referee Stéphane Lannoy hand out four cards, including two to Kaká, who accumulated a second when Ivorian attacker Abdulkader Kieta had into him and fell to the group. Kaká appeared to raise an elbow to his opponent’s chest after Keita made contact, leading the Ivorian to fall to the ground holding his face. After minutes of confusion, Kaká was finally shown a second yellow, earning him a suspension for Brazil’s next match.
That game will take place next Friday when the Selecão face Portugal, having already qualified for the knockout round. With six points, Brazil sits atop Group G, with the groups other three teams (Cote d’Ivoire, North Korea, Portugal) on one.
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