Sunday, July 25, 2021 at 12:21 pm• Rian Rosendaal

Brazil has not been able to continue the 4-2 victory over Germany. The second group match at the Olympics ended in a 0-0 draw against Ivory Coast. Most notable moment was the red card for Douglas Luiz in the early stages. Ajax striker Antony was also unable to make the difference and the winger was even taken to the side more than fifteen minutes before the end.

To send Douglas Luiz away in the twelfth minute was quite something to do. The defensive midfielder seemed to hit the breakthrough Max Gradel, but it soon became clear from the images that the Ivory Coast attacker went to the ground very easily. The referee wanted to dismiss it with a yellow card, but the VAR indicated that the alleged violation by the Brazilian should be looked at closely on the screen next to the field. After the check, Douglas Luiz was shown the red card to his surprise.

Despite the lower number situation, Brazil remained the dominant party in the first half, certainly in possession of the ball. Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, was lurking in the space behind the defense of The Divine Canaries. Antony occasionally created danger on the right flank and shortly before half-time the Ajax player came into a promising position. However, his effort was tapped over the goal by the alert goalkeeper Ira Eliezer Tapé. Five minutes after the restart, Richarlison went to the ground and everyone at Brazil was screaming for a penalty. However, the ball did not go on the spot.

Matheus Cunha seemed to be on his way to the opening goal of the Brazilians after an hour of play, but a great tackle by Kouadio-Yves Dabila at the very last minute prevented Ivory Coast from falling behind. That same Cunha could and perhaps should have scored in minute 62 after the ball had come to him from a corner. His header, however, lacked speed and power. The attacker was taken off in the 73rd minute together with Antony. Malcolm and Gabriel Martinelli took their places in the front.

Richarlison also left early in the 78th minute, with Paulinho as his replacement. Shortly afterwards, Ivory Coast also had to continue with ten men after the second yellow card for Jean Evrard Kouassi. At the time, the Brazilians were engaged in a final offensive. Guilherme seemed to make the liberating goal from a long shot, but Tapé kept the ball out of his goal in a catlike manner. Well into stoppage time, which lasted five minutes, Malcolm was still close to 1-0. However, he was unable to convert Martinelli’s pass into a goal.

Brazil and Ivory Coast therefore had to settle for a draw and both countries have now collected four points from the first two group matches at the Olympic Games. The Brazilians will close the group stage against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, while the African country will have to deal with Germany that same day.