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Brazil squeaks past Scotland 2-1
Own goal by Scotland gives Brazil opening match win
Posted: Wednesday June 10, 1998 01:43 PM
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Cesar Sampaio put Brazil ahead early in the match with a header off a corner kick (AP) |
Brazil averted a possible upset when a rebound off Scotland's Tommy Boyd in the 73rd minute ricocheted into the goal, giving the world champions a 2-1 win over Scotland in the opening match of the World Cup.
The Brazilians controlled the entire match, creating numerous chances. But they only were able to convert one of them when Cesar Sampaio headed home the first goal of France '98 in the fourth minute.
Sampaio was responsible for Scotland's lone goal, however.
He was whistled for a yellow card in the 37th minute for a takedown in Brazil's penalty area, and John Collins converted the resulting penalty kick to tie the score at one.
The winning goal came after Cafu, who was sandwiched amongst two Scottish defenders and the goalkeeper in front of the goal, tried to push the ball back in the penalty area for one of his teammates, only to have the ball deflect off of Boyd into the goal.
Ronaldo, who has said he hopes to break the scoring record at this World Cup, did not singe the net, but he was quite impressive on the ball, setting himself and his teammates up on many occasions.
The Brazilians will meet Morocco next Tuesday, while Scotland next faces Norway on the same day.
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