Brazil 2 Turkey 1
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| A fit again Ronaldo celebrates his World Cup return in style having notched Brazil’s first goal (© Reuters) |
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A late penalty from Barcelona star Rivaldo saw Brazil get their campaign off to a winning start after a performance galvanised by the World Cup return of a rejuvenated Ronaldo.
Rivaldo's 86th-minute spot-kick, which it has to be said was dubious at best, was perfectly placed beyond diving goalkeeper Rustu Recber after Turkey defender Alpay had been sent off for hauling down Luizao as he approached the box.
The goal came after Brazil fought back from going a goal down to a strike by Turkey's Hasan Sas in first-half injury time. Fit-again Inter Milan ace Ronaldo had equalised that opener after 50 minutes.
The Turks the game end in disaster when Hakan Unsal was sent off in the dying seconds for a second bookable offence after kicking the ball at Rivaldo.
Ronaldo, who has made a return to football this season after an injury-ravaged few years, gave glimpses of what the world has been missing before being substituted for Luizao on 72 minutes.
For long periods of the match it looked as if Brazil, aiming to regroup after the injury blow to skipper Emerson, would have to settle for a draw after being continually thwarted by Rustu in the Turkey goal.
Although they dominated play for long periods the Brazilians were kept at bay by a well-organised Turkey side making their first appearance in the World Cup for 48 years.
Turkey's opener came after a long ball forward from Yildiray Basturk caught the Brazil defence napping and Hasan Sas was on hand to thump the ball past goalkeeper Marcos.
But the Brazilian fans did not have long to wait for the leveller. A hanging Rivaldo cross from the left was met by Ronaldo, athletically hooking in a volley past a helpless Rustu five minutes into the second half.
Buoyed by the goal, Ronaldo was troubling the Turkish defence again soon afterwards. He left his marker for dead with a wonderful turn and jink into the box but an attempt to guide his shot past Rustu was saved.
Former Middlesbrough player Juninho also went close for the South Americans with a rasping shot from 15 yards out which Rustu again did well to parry.
Brazil continued to go in search of a winner and thought they had secured it on 62 minutes only for Rivaldo to see his close-range header from a knock-on by Roque Junior ruled out for offside, in a marginal call. Then came the late penalty.