The Big Picture: No fireworks on the pitch but fans bring colour to terraces

(EPA)

Despite the stellar cast list – Ronaldo, Luis Fabiano, Maicon, Simao – the much-anticipated Group G meeting of Brazil and Portugal in Durban yesterday was something of an anticlimax, finishing as it did in a goalless draw.

But that alone failed to dampen the exuberant spirits of these fans of the selecao, who celebrated the meagre fare on offer as if they were watching Lucio lifting the trophy on 11 July.

Perhaps they were history buffs, marking the once-in-a-lifetime occasion: the last time Brazil failed to score in a World Cup group match was 32 years ago – a 0-0 draw with Spain in Mar del Plata.