Ivory Coast vs Portugal Player Ratings

Liow Yi Yang rates the players in the 0-0 stalemate between Ivory Coast and Portugal.

Ivory Coast

Boubacar Barry - 6
Was given a scare by Ronaldo's first half thunderbolt, but that was about all that troubled the keeper bar a Liedson header.

Didier Zokora - 7
Did not play in his usual position but was adaptable at center back. Made some important challenges.

Kolo Touré - 7.5
Very tidy at the back as you'd expect from the Manchester City defender. Kept Liedson very quiet. The captain also drove forward from defence to try and create for his team.

Siaka Tiéné - 7.5
Tiene was solid as a rock in the left back berth, dangerous from set-pieces. This chap's got a sweet left foot.

Guy Demel - 7.5
The burly Demel was impressive today, he showed his attacking instincts down the right and stood firm against the threat of Danny and Ronaldo.

Yaya Touré - 8
Tenacious in the tackle, Toure offered good protection to his back four and limited Ronaldo's options. The defensive midfielder made himself available up the field too.

Ismael Tioté - 6.5
Came close to scoring with a long ranged effort in the first half. Was neat in midfield, decent shift put in by Tiote.

Emmanuel Eboué - 6
Not particularly outstanding and had a quiet game in by his standards.

Salomon Kalou - 7.5
Full of dribbling down the left and was tricky for the Portuguese defence to deal with. Had a couple of shots on target.

Aruna Dindane - 6.5
Did okay for me. Dindane had his moments, but was wasteful after getting himself into good positions.

Gervinho - 9
Very lively and displayed plenty of intent, Gervinho was the most dangerous player for Ivory Coast going forward. He definitely has the makings of a great player. One to watch!

Substitutes

Didier Drogba (on 65' for Kalou) - 5
The world class striker had a great chance at the end to put Ivory Coast and Africa into raptures but contrived to miss. He will still be a big figure for his team in this tournament after returning from injury today.

Kader Keita (on 81' for Gervinho) - 6.5
Was dangerous and his direct running fashioned a few chances for his team. Effective substitution by Eriksson.

Romaric (on 88' for Eboue) - 6
Little time to impress.

Portugal

Eduardo - 6.5
Dependable in goal for his team. He had to make a few smart saves.

Bruno Alves - 6.5
Alves is a quality center half who made important interceptions for his team.

Ricardo Carvalho - 6.5
You can always count on the experienced Carvalho.

Fábio Coentrão - 7
The left back showed a maturity that belied his young age. He can be a star in this team for years to come.

Paulo Ferreira - 5.5
Made important tackles for his team, but struggled with the pacy Gervinho. Was kept busy throughout.

Pedro Mendes - 5
Mendes could have offered more defensively, especially when Portugal were on the back foot.

Raul Meireles - 7
Meireles showed much intensity in the middle of the park, he won many balls and tried to drive his team forward. Good shift from the heavily tattooed midfielder.

Deco - 5
Provided a good cross for Liedson but clearly a shade of his former self as he struggled to influence. Can still be a threat for Portugal from his set piece deliveries.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 5.5
Ivory Coast shackled Ronaldo to great effect today, and they had to. He showed a magnificent piece of individual skill with a screamer that rattled the post but that was just about all that he contributed in the first 45. Had a slightly more productive second half but never really got into the game.

Liédson - 5
Isolated for large periods of the game. Good header on target in the second half. May have been more effective if he had someone alongside him.

Danny - 4.5
Perhaps too much was expected of Danny after his performances in qualifying, he really struggled to create anything.

Substitutes

Simao (on 55' for Danny) - 5
Poor set piece deliveries from the usually dependable winger.

Tiago (on 61' for Deco) - 5.5
Did not contribute much other than a few fouls in the middle of the park.

Ruben Amorim (on 85' for Meireles) - 5.5
Nani's last minute replacement in the squad made one threatening run.