Group G produced the largest margin victory in Portugal's World Cup history and North Korea's worst-ever World Cup defeat, a 7–0 loss.
Key Facts
- Group dates
- 15 June – 25 June 2010
- Portugal vs North Korea score
- 7–0 (Portugal's biggest World Cup win)
- North Korea goal difference
- −11 (worst in the tournament)
- Group winner
- Brazil (Copa América champion)
- Historic precedent
- Brazil and Portugal also grouped together in 1966 World Cup
- First live broadcast
- First live football match on North Korean television
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 2010 FIFA World Cup draw placed Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, and North Korea into Group G. Brazil entered as reigning Copa América champions, and Portugal as a strong European side. The group echoed the 1966 World Cup, in which Brazil and Portugal were also grouped together, and Portugal eliminated Brazil while later defeating North Korea in the quarter-finals.
Group G was contested between 15 and 25 June 2010 across South Africa. Brazil finished as group winners and Portugal as runners-up. Ivory Coast placed third and North Korea last, suffering a 7–0 defeat to Portugal — Portugal's largest-ever World Cup win and North Korea's heaviest defeat. The match also marked the first live football broadcast on North Korean state television.
Brazil advanced to the Round of 16 to face Chile, while Portugal met Spain, the Group H winners. North Korea's goal difference of −11 was the worst of any team at the tournament. The 7–0 result against North Korea became a landmark in both nations' football histories, and the unprecedented broadcast of a live match broke new ground in North Korean media.
Result
at Various stadiums, South Africa