03/06/2004
Ronaldo makes Argentines pay the penalty

The victory saw Brazil leapfrog Argentina - whose goal came from Juan-Pablo Sorin nine minutes from time - into top spot in the table, though the match ended with Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa pulling his players away from referee Oscar Ruiz as they voiced their frustrations over the penalties.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said his side had won on merit.

"We had a difficult moment towards half-time but I told the players not to be so nervous and in the second-half we more than merited our victory," said Parreira, who coached Brazil to the 1994 World Cup triphy.

"Argentina is one of the most accomplished technical sides in the world but I was delighted how we played once we adapted to their style.

"The sweetness of this victory is indescribable," he added.

Parreira was also lavish with his praise for Ronaldo defending him against recent criticism.

"He is the best striker in the world and he plays for Brazil.

"I don't understand why people question that and tonight Ronaldo provided the perfect riposte for those critics," he said.

For Ronaldo it represented a perfect return to a city where he started his career with local side Cruzeiro.

"This is my home," he beamed.

"To come back here after not playing in the stadium for 10 years is very emotional and to score three goals against Argentina is a dream even if I didn't think it was possible," said Ronaldo, who admitted it hadn't been one of the world champions better performances.

Bielsa bemoaned his side not being able to keep up their performance throughout the match.

"The first-half I thought we were excellent in turning the pressure on but in the second-half we lost our ability to keep the ball and win it back.

"Also we failed to provide a service to the front two and found it difficult to get in our crosses which is something we must rectify before we play Paraguay at home on Sunday," added Bielsa, who was fortunate to keep his job after Argentina were knocked out of the 2002 World Cup finals in the first round.

Bielsa said he thought it lamentable they could not highlight the poor performance of the referee and all but accused Ronaldo of cheating.

"It is clear that Ronaldo is very determined and carved out the three fouls for the penalties which defined the match.

"As for the referee it is unfortunate we are not allowed to point out the errors he made," he added.

Ronaldo - who took his total goals for the qualifiers to six - had slotted away his second penalty of the match to put Brazil 2-0 up in the 68th minute after Javier Mascherano had fouled in the penalty area.

Roberto Carlos almost made it 3-0 a few minutes later as his fierce drive from outside the area shaved the far post with the keeper Pablo Caballero beaten.

Sorin reduced the deficit in the 81st minute minute after Hernan Crespo's header was turned onto the post by Dida and the long-haired midfielder was on hand to tap the ball into an empty net.

Sorin's Paris Saint Germain team-mate Gabriel Heinze nearly redeemed himself after being responsible for giving away the first penalty when he had a great chance to level the match five minutes from time as unmarked the Manchester United target saw his header flash over the bar.

In a frenetic finish Javier Saviola ghosted into the area but his delicately guided shot was safely gathered down by the post by Dida.

However Brazil wrapped up the three points when Caballero was harshly judged to have brought down Ronaldo in the penalty area in stoppage time - the Real Madrid striker looked to have lost control of the ball and the keeper did not make any contact with him.

Ronaldo had opened his account in the 16th minute after being upended by Heinze and easily beat Caballero, celebrating by kissing the top of his Real Madrid team-mate Roberto Carlos's head.

Crespo had a golden opportunity to level on the half hour mark but his free header from a corner went over the bar leaving Sorin shaking his head in frustration.

However Brazil almost went 2-0 up five minutes later as a trademark rasping freekick by Roberto Carlos just went wide.

Mauro Rosales came on for Cesar Delgado - who had earlier had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled out because the Argentinian corner had gone out before curling back in again - just after Roberto Carlos's effort.

Seconds later Argentina had another chance to level as Roberto Carlos's header fell to Sorin but the Paris Saint Germain star could only toepoke it over the bar from seven yards out.

However despite the Argentinians relative dominance in the first-half - they had four shots on target compared to the world champions one - they had nothing to show for it as the half-time whistle blew and things were not to get any better in the second-half.