Goals from Deco and a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo were enough to send Portugal through to the second round of the World Cup, the score however masked over the wobbles it took them to finally beat Iran in the heat of Frankfurt.
Sadly for the Iranian’s it means elimination, but for Portugal it allows them to know that a win or a draw against Mexico in their final game will be enough to secure a first place finish in Group D.
Portugal began with the same side which did enough to beat Angola. With Figo back to his best it would be tough for Iran to prevent him from gaining possession of the ball and so influencing the game. Iran started with the same side which held out for so long against Mexico but was in the end beaten. Bayern’s Karimi was deemed the biggest goal threat after providing sparks and flashes in their first group game.
Early in the game Portugal’s floating wingers began to take control and immediately Iran knew what they were in for during the ninety minutes. Figo roamed inside and crossed into the box finding Deco, the Barcelona stars control was inch perfect and so was his shot but it was met with an incredible diving save by the Iranian keeper.
Scolari looked agitated on the bench as Portugal wasted yet another chance as Maniche fired over from a cleverly worked free kick. Iran’s defending was far too deep to keep them in this game for too long but due to Portugal’s wasteful finishing they saw the rest of the first half become a shooting gallery for their stronger opponents.
On the half hour mark, a header from Carvalho went just wide as he rose to meet it in the area unchallenged but the best chance of the half fell to Ronaldo from a replica corner. His technique however was all off as his header was easily cleared from the area by an Iranian defender.
Just on half time Portugal came close again with full back Miguel being played in by Maniche, his driven shot was parried by the goalkeeper across the face of goal but span away from the on rushing Pauleta who had so far failed to make his mark on the game.
During half time Portugal no doubt were told to play the patient game and keep creating chances, which they did in bundles before Deco was able to find the net just after the hour mark had passed. A great run inside from Figo again dragged defenders towards him, allowing space for Deco to plant himself on the edge of the box, Inter Milan’s Figo found his colleague who with great accuracy steered the ball with the outside of his foot out of the keepers reach and into the back of the net.
As Deco celebrated Iran looked deflated by conceding a goal, realizing it would now be even tougher to get back into the game. As they pushed forward, Portugal began to hesitate and when Miera misjudged a long ball, striker Merhrzad Madanchi fired just wide to provide Portugal with a wake up call.
With Iran given confidence the game became more stretched and Portugal began once more to run the game through the midfield. Once more Figo cut inside from the left and was felled inside the box by the trailing leg of Iran captain Golmohammadi. The rather needless challenge gave Portugal an opportunity to seal the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo duly accepted the invitation to score from the penalty spot and enjoyed sending the keeper the wrong way before celebrating his first World Cup goal ever.
The pace of the game subsided and despite Portugal allowing them much possession, Iran created little and eventually surrendered.
Sadly for the Iranian’s it means elimination, but for Portugal it allows them to know that a win or a draw against Mexico in their final game will be enough to secure a first place finish in Group D.
Portugal began with the same side which did enough to beat Angola. With Figo back to his best it would be tough for Iran to prevent him from gaining possession of the ball and so influencing the game. Iran started with the same side which held out for so long against Mexico but was in the end beaten. Bayern’s Karimi was deemed the biggest goal threat after providing sparks and flashes in their first group game.
Early in the game Portugal’s floating wingers began to take control and immediately Iran knew what they were in for during the ninety minutes. Figo roamed inside and crossed into the box finding Deco, the Barcelona stars control was inch perfect and so was his shot but it was met with an incredible diving save by the Iranian keeper.
Scolari looked agitated on the bench as Portugal wasted yet another chance as Maniche fired over from a cleverly worked free kick. Iran’s defending was far too deep to keep them in this game for too long but due to Portugal’s wasteful finishing they saw the rest of the first half become a shooting gallery for their stronger opponents.
On the half hour mark, a header from Carvalho went just wide as he rose to meet it in the area unchallenged but the best chance of the half fell to Ronaldo from a replica corner. His technique however was all off as his header was easily cleared from the area by an Iranian defender.
Just on half time Portugal came close again with full back Miguel being played in by Maniche, his driven shot was parried by the goalkeeper across the face of goal but span away from the on rushing Pauleta who had so far failed to make his mark on the game.
During half time Portugal no doubt were told to play the patient game and keep creating chances, which they did in bundles before Deco was able to find the net just after the hour mark had passed. A great run inside from Figo again dragged defenders towards him, allowing space for Deco to plant himself on the edge of the box, Inter Milan’s Figo found his colleague who with great accuracy steered the ball with the outside of his foot out of the keepers reach and into the back of the net.
As Deco celebrated Iran looked deflated by conceding a goal, realizing it would now be even tougher to get back into the game. As they pushed forward, Portugal began to hesitate and when Miera misjudged a long ball, striker Merhrzad Madanchi fired just wide to provide Portugal with a wake up call.
With Iran given confidence the game became more stretched and Portugal began once more to run the game through the midfield. Once more Figo cut inside from the left and was felled inside the box by the trailing leg of Iran captain Golmohammadi. The rather needless challenge gave Portugal an opportunity to seal the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo duly accepted the invitation to score from the penalty spot and enjoyed sending the keeper the wrong way before celebrating his first World Cup goal ever.
The pace of the game subsided and despite Portugal allowing them much possession, Iran created little and eventually surrendered.