Brazil is renowned for its samba soccer, but it was Poland that displayed Latin flair.
The Poles overcame a man disadvantage to upset mighty Brazil 1-0 Saturday afternoon in the opening game of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Poland's Grzegorz Krychowiak, left, celebrates his goal against Brazil with teammate Jaroslaw Fojut at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Montreal on Saturday.
(Ian Barrett/Canadian Press)
Defender Grzegorz Krychowiak scored on a beautiful, bending free kick from 25 yards out in the 23rd minute to lift Poland to a surprise victory over Brazil in a key Group D game in Montreal.
In other group play Saturday, South Korea and the United States played to a 1-1 draw.
Poland, competing in this tournament for the first time in 24 years, was reduced to 10 men four minutes later when forward Krzysztof Krol was expelled for earning his second yellow card of the game.
Forced to play a man short for the rest of the contest, Poland played a tight defensive game, shutting down the potent Brazilian attack. Led by dangerous striker Alexandre Pato, Brazil pressed furiously, but the South Americans couldn't convert any of their scoring chances as they stumbled to the loss.
Brazil, the renowned samba kings, had to have been frustrated by Saturday's result.
Pegged as one of the tournament favourites, the South American powerhouse dominated possession (a staggering 63 per cent) and registered 14 shots, compared with just two for Poland.
But it was Poland who made the most of their scoring chances, with Krychowiak firing a beautiful free kick just inside the post and past Brazilian keeper Cassio.
Battered and bruised by the tough-tackling Poles, who earned four yellow cards in the game, Brazil took control after Krol's expulsion, attacking through Pato and down the wings.
Real Madrid fullback Marcelo entered the game as a substitute in the 66th minute to give Brazil more attacking edge down the flanks. As Marcelo and his teammates pressed forward, Poland stood back and soaked up the pressure, thwarting the Brazilians at every turn.
Poland's shocking victory over the four-time world champions has to be considered one of the biggest upsets in the 30-year history of the tournament.
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