- 15/06/2025
Brazil's opening group game played in Stanford.
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00:00Well, the old drums are beating and I think everyone now looking forward to the kickoff.
00:05It'll be interesting just to see how the Russians do react because it is going to be difficult for them.
00:10I suppose they've got nothing to lose because the expectancy level for them must be that little bit lower, missing those star names.
00:15But let's see if they can cope with this wave of enthusiasm.
00:20Well, they know each other a bit from the past, these two nations.
00:23They met in their opening game in the World Cup of 82 in Spain.
00:26Brazil winning 2-1 after going a goal behind.
00:31And Russia now, of course, no longer the Soviet Union in those red shirts that became so established.
00:39It's the new Russia wearing blue.
00:41Number 10 there for them is Karpin playing on the right side of midfield.
00:46One of the Spartak Moscow players.
00:48And here's Tafarel.
00:50Forward by Gorlukovic.
00:51Good-looking crossfield ball there for Russia.
00:53Urán makes a forward dart now onto the edge of the area.
01:09A lot of noise whenever Brazil pick up possession.
01:12And the referee from Mauritius is staying very close to the play.
01:17Now right.
01:18Oh, and Romario!
01:20Good save by Dimitri Karin.
01:25Whether he was offside, I rather think he probably was, Trevor.
01:29I think he gave a little nudge, but the referee was very, very late with the whistle.
01:33I thought he'd got away with it.
01:34As you can see, just clips, I think, a little nudge and just clipped the heels that brought the defender down who tried to pinch it.
01:41And the referee's whistle went after the save from Karin.
01:45Good ball from Rye.
01:46Yes, it was the build-up by the number 10, Rye.
01:48Yes, he's caught the defender there, hasn't he, as he's challenged him.
01:51So it's a foul.
01:52But nevertheless, Karin wasn't to know that.
01:54At one stage when the sweeper, Niki Forov, was caught alongside the marker and Romario took both of them out.
02:00They were looking to the offside.
02:01He tried to squeeze up the offside.
02:03But fortunately, Romario just pushed wide and couldn't get his shot in from an angle.
02:06Two flashes of skill already from the Brazilian number 11, and they're starting to move well here, Brazil.
02:14And there goes the cross, and there's the shot from Bebeto.
02:21And he should have scored.
02:23He tried a spectacular volley, and I think a straightforward header, downward header, and the ball would have had to have gone in the net.
02:29That was a golden opportunity, and I think he went for a bit of spectacular glory.
02:33Good tackling here out wide.
02:34Looks as if the ball actually is going to go away from Joyino.
02:37Gets up the tackling.
02:39The cross comes over to the far post.
02:41Look at that, a clear opening.
02:42Needed just the header.
02:46Oh, and Dunga got caught there in midfield by the Russians.
02:52This is Radchenko.
02:55Wasn't a bad effort.
02:58Neither was that.
03:00The symbol are who came in.
03:0425 minutes gone here in Palo Alto.
03:09No score.
03:10Brazil doing nearly all the pressing.
03:13It's Radchenko back there in defence.
03:15Didn't make it.
03:16Carlos Dunga.
03:18Oh, and Rai has a shot that's blocked.
03:20Here comes Leonardo now.
03:27Round Gorlukovic.
03:28Right round Gorlukovic.
03:30Oh, he just had to pull that back to Romario.
03:34They're clinging on at the moment, the Russians.
03:36They've got to relieve this pressure somehow.
03:38Leonardo down the left-hand side has made two or three excellent runs.
03:42Typical attacking full-back.
03:44Keeps his balance this time, but Forsley's just got blocked at the near post.
03:55Oh, and that one's been stabbed in.
03:57Romario.
04:08Romario got it.
04:11Just got a touch as it came across the area.
04:14And Romario, the player whose reputation was said to be on the line here, has scored Brazil's first goal in the 1994 World Cup.
04:29Two came towards the near post.
04:32It went beyond them.
04:33And Romario gets a right foot in front of the defender.
04:36And Brazil are in the lead.
04:40Well, he looked almost uninterested, hadn't he, in this opening, near in 26 minutes.
04:46But the pressure was building up.
04:48It was a straightforward defensive lapse, really.
04:50Just allowed him to get in front of him.
04:52And now Brazil with their tails up.
04:54And it seemed to be coming, didn't it, in those last few minutes.
04:57Now the Russians trying to reply straight away.
05:00And there's a chance on the far side there.
05:01Well, 27 minutes gone.
05:11And the first strike for Brazil.
05:14And Romario just, oh, it's a lovely little touch, isn't it?
05:17Dimitri Karin didn't even get down to a dive.
05:22Leonardo and Ryan, I wasn't sure about the penalty decision.
05:25But this one has got to be particularly dangerous from here.
05:28With the right foot, I would have thought.
05:29Giorgino.
05:31Well, it looks as if it could be Giorgino, doesn't it?
05:36Or is that Bebeto?
05:37Bebeto.
05:38Yes, it's Bebeto.
05:43Curling Bebeto with pace.
05:46I'm not sure what Karin could have done about that.
05:49Well, he could have picked it out of the net, I think.
05:50Because, I mean, it was, what, two steps?
05:52Look at that.
05:53Straight over the wall.
05:54Karin would never have got anywhere near it.
05:57Look, it would have been in the net.
05:58That was very close.
06:00Great free kick.
06:02There's three Brazilians in front of that wall.
06:03Or ducking, look, as he takes it.
06:06I had no need to duck there.
06:07That was the perfect free kick.
06:09Over the wall, dipping underneath the crossbar.
06:11Rai getting involved again.
06:14Gunga, Rai, Bebeto waiting in the centre.
06:18So is Romario, so is Xenio.
06:20And Xenio had the shot, which Karin blocks just, it was actually Mauro Silva who did the approach work from the back, wasn't it?
06:42He's been the best player on the field, Mauro Silva.
06:46He's been the dominant, works back, helps the two central defenders and then makes all those interceptions.
06:51And it was he who won the ball from Uran and set up that scoring opportunity.
06:54But he's been the hubbub.
06:56I liked Leonardo as well, down the left flank.
06:59He's got forward to fall back.
07:00But at the moment, it's been pretty comfortable for Brazil.
07:04Yes, it needs Russia to do the unexpected now and come up with something to...
07:11Maybe they'll do it here.
07:12Oh, no, they won't.
07:13That was Fletchenko who completely ran out of ideas and Brazil can break.
07:18It's Xenio again, the left-footed player.
07:24Krestov hopefully forward for Russia.
07:28They've been given a right old chasing for much of this half, the European team.
07:32Dorlukovic.
07:43And the two on the far side there is Dmitri Kuznetsov.
07:54And the referee blows for half-time with the huge Brazilian encampment in the crowd,
08:01quite happy with the way things have gone.
08:04Romario, the scorer, from a corner, giving them the initiative.
08:08And they didn't really look like losing it.
08:10But the Russian team are very much on the back foot.
08:17And they'll do well to turn this match round at half-time in the Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto,
08:22just outside San Francisco, in the 1994 World Cup.
08:27It's Brazil 1, Russia 0.
08:31Thank you very much, John.
08:33An education for me here to be with the England coach,
08:35who is in so much admiration of what he's seen.
08:37Yeah.
08:37You're disappointed they've not scored more goals.
08:41At the same time, it's more of a contest, because they're still in the game, the Russian team.
08:45And they're playing well.
08:47They've got a lot of spirit.
08:47But it's really a one new annihilation, I think, at the moment.
08:51Yeah.
08:51I'm glad there is only one goal in it, in a way.
08:53Because you almost got the feeling there, it was like the Harlem Globetrotters.
08:56You know, they were the team to entertain, and the others were there just making out.
09:01Now, that's really unfair to Russia on what they've done, because they're still in the game.
09:05They're still trying desperately to get back into it, but they really haven't had a smell, have they?
09:10No.
09:11Well, as you say, only one goal.
09:12Let's have a look at that goal.
09:13It wasn't wonderful defending, really, but the man who we thought might score did.
09:18Well, this was the fifth corner that they'd had in five minutes.
09:21And there is the man.
09:22He doesn't do anything in the middle of the field.
09:24He's lazy.
09:25They complain about him, but when it comes to tucking one in, it's in.
09:28Here he comes again.
09:29He wasn't defending Marklin.
09:30He's stretching.
09:31He should really be in front of him.
09:32Gives him that chance.
09:33Plus the fact that you can see they've got nobody on the back post, and that makes it a lot easier for him.
09:38That is really the fault, in a way, and that there was nobody there anyway.
09:42A guy on the near post.
09:43Here again, he took his defender on his back foot.
09:45He took him back, and then he goes forward.
09:48One run for him, and one run for himself.
09:50Should there have been somebody on that back post?
09:51Well, as you can see, a lot of the continental teams and the South Americans don't have anybody in the back post.
09:57And if there's a near post flick, or if they miss it, like in that case, that's where it's going to end up.
10:02And Brazilians as well also haven't got anybody on the back post at corners.
10:05I think it's a high risk.
10:06The comfort on the ball.
10:07I think it's a high risk.
10:08Yeah.
10:08The comfort on the ball, the movement, the imagination.
10:11But as I was also saying in my last commentary, if you're in America at the moment,
10:15you can't get away from the really big story involving a sportsman, which is, of course, the O.J. Simpson double murder charge.
10:23He appeared in court today.
10:25One of America's most famous sportsmen ever.
10:27And that's in every television bulletin on the front page of every paper.
10:33And it's the biggest cause to live over here probably since the Klaus von Bülow trial in 1985.
10:41Anyway, back to the World Cup.
10:43And the Americans, as I say, warming to the theme as Brazil attack from left to right.
10:47It's played by Rai.
10:51And you can hear the drums in the background and the supporters of Brazil bringing this flavor to the World Cup for which they are noted.
10:59Rai is having a lot of influence on the game.
11:18And the player whose reputation was put under the microscope before they came out.
11:30It's Kuznetsov again.
11:34Vlatchenko.
11:34The 15th, they're forcing in wide and square.
11:44Gorlukovic.
11:50And its merits.
11:51I would say that Gorlukovic has played as well for Russia as anybody up to now.
11:58Doesn't look like a typical Russian, does he?
12:00Comes inside and not afraid to hit him with his less favored left foot.
12:04Taffarel leaping across.
12:06It was always going to miss that far post.
12:07But, I mean, the Russians need some momentum early in this second half.
12:12But it is a quite lethargic opening by the Brazilians.
12:15It's almost a case of, well, we're 1-0 up, but do we need to step up another gear to get a second?
12:21And the supporters won't be satisfied with that.
12:23That was Romario.
12:25Penalty kick.
12:32Lim key of Mauritius, the referee, was in a good position.
12:37And he has given a penalty.
12:40The second defender took Romario.
12:43It's number six, I think.
12:46Tanavski, who commits the foul.
12:48The man who's been man-marking him for most of the game.
12:51And Brazil have a penalty after seven minutes of the second half.
12:58Romario has waited for it.
13:00He's a great little knock between the legs of one defender.
13:02And then certainly number six, Tanavski, came in, brought him down.
13:07Definitely a penalty, I think.
13:08And it's going to be Rui to take it.
13:12A goal for Brazil.
13:14And a 2-0 lead.
13:21And they're off the bench, the substitutes.
13:23They've gone to congratulate Rui.
13:25Let's look at those scenes.
13:29That's the 17-year-old lad there in the middle of all that, Ronaldo.
13:33But Brazil go two goals clear.
13:37Rui, the brother of Socrates, sending Dimitri Curry in the wrong way.
13:43Just as canton-harded at Wembley, really.
13:46A sweetly taken penalty.
13:47And this makes it Brazil to Russia nil.
13:51Well, you could see the relief, couldn't you, on the bench there of everyone involved.
13:562-0 gives them that cushion.
13:58And unfortunately, from Russia's point of view, that is almost the signal as well.
14:02Well, let's try a few tricks and a bit of our flamboyance now that we're 2-0 up.
14:05And that was the second goal that Russia couldn't afford.
14:08Well, can they get one back here?
14:10No.
14:10That's another ambitious effort by Gorlukovic.
14:15But that, as you say, does deliver to Brazil the breathing space they may have wanted.
14:22This is Uran for Russia.
14:28Oh, an interception there by Mauro Silva.
14:32And almost through to Bebeto.
14:34Here comes Jorginho.
14:35He's in the attack now.
14:37So is Bebeto on the ball.
14:38Romario's coming in!
14:40That was a great flowing move, wasn't it?
14:46Jorginho, the right full-back, getting into the attack.
14:48He threw himself forward.
14:49I thought it was going to be a goal.
14:50I don't know whether when Bebeto knocks it in.
14:53Romario just catches the defender, takes the sting out of the head.
14:56No, he hit it with his shoulder, didn't he?
14:58And wasn't quite firm enough with the header.
15:01Echeverry of Bolivia and Nadal of Spain have both been given a two-match ban by FIFA.
15:06It used to normally be one for a sending off.
15:08But hold on.
15:08Here's Bebeto looking for Romario.
15:11There's a chance here for Brazil to make it three.
15:13It was Bebeto.
15:15And they've still got possession.
15:18With Dunga.
15:22Touched in for the one-two again.
15:25And is that number three?
15:26Oh, it's Dimitri Karim with a fantastic save.
15:31That was brilliant goalkeeping by the man from Chelsea.
15:34A great interpass, wasn't it, on the edge of the area.
15:41Dunga then knocking it in the near post.
15:43But Bebeto must have thought he'd got on the score sheet.
15:46A brilliant reaction save for Karim.
15:48Yes, I think Bebeto, who finished up on the ground, thought he'd scored.
15:52It was a beautiful move by Brazil.
15:55The build-up so precise.
15:56The cross delivered at the right time.
15:58The player in the position.
15:59But that's a smashing reaction from the Russian goalkeeper.
16:05Could be a frustrated strike, I think, to have in the camp.
16:20There is Romario himself.
16:21Oh, he's put that ball beautifully into the path.
16:24Oh, and Bebeto.
16:27Karim grabbed it almost on the line.
16:33That was a pass of the match by Romario.
16:35One touch, he caught it under control.
16:37The outside of the right foot, right into the path of Bebeto.
16:40Good save by Karim.
16:41He just scrambled back, but it was a good strike from Bebeto.
16:45Well, that looked like number three, didn't it?
16:47Beautifully set up by Romario for his striking partner.
16:52And the Chelsea goalkeeper has distinguished himself here with two very good saves.
16:57Won't make much difference, I'm afraid, from his point of view to the result.
17:00But there you are, there are eight minutes to go.
17:02And now Donga tries to get Bebeto away.
17:07There is a special award, Trevor, at this World Cup for the first time for the outstanding goalkeeper.
17:16It's a new one that FIFA have brought in.
17:19So there'll be some hot competition for that, won't there?
17:22In England, Trevor, there is, or in Britain, I should say.
17:24I think it didn't go very far, did it?
17:30There was a Russian player who played in the World Cup, Sergei Baltacher, wasn't there, who went to Ipswich Town and then on to St. Johnston.
17:35Well, I mean, Ken Chelsis, I think, has been the most successful, hasn't he?
17:41And probably, you know, with so many different sort of countries opening up since the old Soviet Union,
17:47I think there are quite a few who would like to play into Europe, whether it be Scotland or Europe.
17:51Now, can I get a goal out of this?
17:54Brazil were hesitant there for the first time in a while, and the shot came in from Sollenko.
17:58Maintaining their reputation, played 66, 144, drawn 11, lost 11 is their record in World Cup tournament play.
18:23Nobody else can match that.
18:24Germany and Italy coming up behind them, but today it's three points for Brazil.
18:33And the stadium in Palo Alto celebrates a victory which gets Brazil off on the right foot in the 1994 World Cup in America.
18:46Romario, alert enough to score the first goal.
18:50Rai, cool enough to convert the penalty for the second.
18:54The team good enough to make the Russians look ordinary.
18:59Here in San Francisco, it's Brazil 2, Russia 0.
19:03Thank you, John.
19:07Three points for Brazil then.
19:08They move to the top of Group B with Cameroon.
19:11Their next opponent's on Friday.
19:13That's a game, again, that you can see live on BBC television.
19:17Well, gentlemen, Brazil comfortably and plenty in the tank as well, I think.
19:22That was significant.
19:23Yeah, I think once they got 2-0, I think they were playing it out.
19:25They know they've got a long way to go.
19:27They just played it out, and I think it was so hot the Russians had worked very hard all through the game.
19:31And they just run their legs out in the end, I think.
19:33Yeah, wonderful to see that change of pace.
19:35It's a different kind of football, isn't it?
19:37It's not flat out.
19:38You know, there's slow, slow, quick, quick, slow.
19:40Wonderful example leading up to the goal, to the penalty.
19:43The Marriott of Silva starts it off, and they just play.
19:46The tempo's slow.
19:47They're knocking it around nice and easy.
19:50Here again, he plays it back.
19:51He's not in any hurry, and the ball's played across here.
19:55And this is where he's looking for the front play.
19:57Now he knows he's got to go forward.
19:59Takes it well.
20:00The challenger's taken it through his legs.
20:02Waits for the tackle, and he goes down.
20:04The defender really must stay on his feet in that situation.
20:07It's lethal to try and go into a man like him.
20:09Just looking at this early stage, I mean, we were impressed by Romania and Hadji,
20:14Colombia perhaps a little, Germany, Ireland.
20:16Where do we place Brazil alongside?
20:18Well, we've got to say they're a lot better than what we've seen so far.
20:21But then again, we're not quite sure.
20:23We didn't have the competition edge that Romania and Colombia had.
20:27You know, the midfield lovely battle of Valderrama in there with Hadji,
20:32all those little pieces.
20:33But it just seems that they've got Valderramas and Hadjis all over their team.
20:37Yeah, yeah.
20:37I just think as the competition goes on, as well as the European teams are doing in the heat,
20:44I think the teams that can play at two or three paces, you know,
20:48and let it rest for a bit and then suddenly quick it up, are going to have an advantage.
20:54I think that will show.
20:55But very early stages yet.
20:57I think that a lot of it, some teams are playing sideways and backwards.
21:00Colombia, I think, overdoes it.
21:02But you get the feeling in that goal that they're just sucking you in.
21:05And they know that really it's got to go forward and we've got to join people quickly
21:08and just see the excellent work from the two-foot players.
21:10One quick word.
21:11The referee was great.
21:12Sorry.
21:13He did well.
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