Portugal down spirited Angola

In a match that many thought would be a rout. Portugal had many chances but struggled to make the most of them in the 1-0 win over Angola, while Mexico won in style 3-1 against Iran.

In the end it was a fourth minute goal from Paris St.Germain striker Pauleta that proved to be the match winner, he easily stroked a square ball from captain Luis Figo into the net.

Portugal made the entire running early in this encounter and wasted several good chances with poor shooting, often beating the keeper only to be denied by the woodwork, or lashing strikes wide or over the bar. The main culprits were Cristiano Ronaldo and Pauleta who very early on pushed the ball wide of an onrushing Joao Ricardo’s post.

Cristiano Ronaldo on the other hand could very well have made it two nil right before half time but misguided a header that rattled the woodwork, from a Luis Figo ball.

The Portuguese were clearly frustrated at the half, with skipper Figo berating his comrades for wasting opportunity.

After being dominated for the first 45 Angola came out a different side in the second half of the game, and not only looked assured in defence but also managed to play better in attack, this more even second half had the Portuguese clearly worried, and this worry could have been turned into a nightmare in the 89th minute when Mateus had a clear shot at goal but lashed it straight into the waiting arms of Ricardo and Portugal were left to take the points with great relief.

In the other Group D match overnight,

The Mexicans were huge favourites to win this game, and win they did. They did it with style too, and this may be the World Cup, which they finally shine at.

The match was started in great fashion with both teams looking good in attack, but it was sporadic from Iran, while Mexico continued to build, and it was only a matter of time before the tide of pressure that they had cracked Iran.

After star player Rafael Marquez spurned a sitter of a header in the twenty third minute it appeared as if the Mexican’s had let Iran off the hook, until Guadalajara star and Mexican fringe player Omar Brave poked a ball in to the Iran net from the back post.

Iran did not drop their heads though and 10 minutes later equalised as a deflection beat Mexican keeper Sanchez and Iranian right back Glomohammadi fired the ball into the roof of the net to equalise.

The scores would stay locked at halftime.

Mexican fans were to fear the worst early on in the second half when Jared Borgetti limped off with what was later told to be just a strain to his knee, the teams then played a game which was mostly in the middle of the park, although without Borgetti, Mexico seemed a little lost, but Iran were unable to capitalise.

In a move that could only be as a result of lack of fitness Iran coach Branko Ivankovic pulled Ali Karimi off and then it all fell apart for Iran as in the 75th minute Bravo fired in his second goal of the game after a beautiful pass from Zinha.

The game was then put beyond doubt just three minutes later when Zinha nodded home a header finishing off a play he set up with a beautiful run.

Iran looked shattered, and it appears that their capitulation, may have cost them not only a point but some very important confidence, as they head into a game with a Portugal side bent on showing why they can be a force, while Mexico will take on a spirited Angola but will have too much class.

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