Cristiano Ronaldo played well Tuesday but didn't score any goals.
(Creative Commons)

The most anticipated World Cup game since U.S.A.-England ended in a scoreless draw Tuesday as neither Portugal nor Ivory Coast could find the net in their first round opener.

The teams traded tantalizing attacks throughout the game, with Gervinho
and Cristiano Ronaldo providing the most electrifying ones, but
ultimately neither could provide the exhilaration fans expected.

The game itself was far from boring, but the result certainly was. For that I blame circumstance. 

It's too bad we got Portugal-Ivory Coast when we did. Had this game come at the end of the group stage it would have been an all-out war, two explosive sides battling for survival. As it was, first game status took the urgency out of things. Neither side felt as if its World Cup life depended on this game and that ultimately took the spice out of things.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel cheated.

Then again, we did get to see some fantastic build up. Both offensive sides were on display, particularly in the second half when Portugal decided to open things up a bit, and there were more than a few heart-stopping moments. Not surprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in his fair share of those moments. 

Ronaldo gave fans a preview of things to come when he unleashed a shot -- an absolute rocket -- from 35 yards out in the 11th minute. The ball stayed low and was moving quickly enough to get past the keeper, but it struck the right post and ricocheted away harmlessly -- the worst of teases.

The Portuguese captain had other opportunities as well, but none as definitive as that long strike and none that will erase from the fan's memory his multitude of dives.

Gamesmanship is a big part of Ronaldo's play -- and rightfully so given his dangerous nature on free kicks -- but even this was too extreme. It's to the point now where referees can't tell if there's actually been a foul committed or if Ronaldo is just putting on a show. Every possession he loses ends in a flop. Every run he makes ends in either a shot or an awkward fall. It's ridiculous.

Even a stiff wind knocks Ronaldo down these days. Any statue made in his honor should be required to display him arms splayed, knees buckled, a tremendous howl escaping from his lips.

I think I speak for all non-Portuguese when I say, "Stop. We're getting tired of this." (Not that he'll listen of course. He's got a big pile of money that says otherwise.) 

Something I don't think I'll ever tire of is watching Gervinho play.

The nifty Ivory Coast attacker can dance around pretty much anyone, including the skilled defenders of Portugal. He moves so effortlessly with the ball and his passes are nearly always on point. He's fearless, and he has the ability to create his own opportunities -- a skill that is surprisingly rare at this level of play.

Gervinho failed to finish on the handful of good chances he had Tuesday, but he's entertaining to watch nonetheless. Besides, he's more of a table-setter anyway. Just wait until Didier Drogba's at his side for more than a 10-minute stretch (they played only momentarily together in the first game). The sparks will fly.

In terms of tactics, I didn't like that Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz started Danny in place of Simao (yes, these are actual names) at attacking midfield. Simao was Portugal's leading goal scorer in qualification. He's a more ambitious and creative player than Danny (who was extremely ineffective in the game) and I suspect he'll start from here on out in the tournament. Portugal's offense looked a lot better when he was on the field.

What I did like was the way Ivory Coast crowded the midfield and refused to let Portugal maintain possession.

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson deserves a lot of credit for this tactic. The Portuguese love to pick teams apart with their passing but weren't able to do that Tuesday because of the presence of strong, athletic players such as Yaya Toure and Ismael Tiote, who seemed to be everywhere, stomping out the attack.  

The so-called Group of Death is a dangerous place to be, but I think Ivory Coast will survive because of this tactic of crowding the midfield. Even Brazil will have a difficult time matching up with their athleticism.