World Cup - Portugal 2-0 Iran

Portugal are through to the second round of the World Cup for the first time since 1966 as they comfortably beat Iran 2-0. This result also ensures that Iran won’t be going through to the last 16. A wonderful long ranged strike from Deco and a well placed penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo were enough to give Portugal their second consecutive win in the tournament, and their coach Luis Felipe Scolari his ninth consecutive win in the World Cup, having guided Brazil to victory in all of their seven games in 2002.

The first half was hardly the best 45 minutes of football we’ve seen so far at the World Cup. Portugal looked on top, but were unable to find the final bit of quality in front of goal, and went into half time with the score 0-0. The Iranian goalkeeper, Ebrahim Mirzapour made some outstanding reflex saves to keeper the Asian side in the match, and meant Portugal went into the break feeling very frustrated.

The second half was generally a lot more eventful. Portugal took a while to break down the opposition, and had to wait until the 63rd minute for their first goal. A wonderful strike from Deco from all of 30 yards flew into the top left corner of the Iranian goal, and there was no way the keeper would ever have stopped it.

Portugal sealed the win in the 78th minute. Luis Figo was brought down just inside the box, which gave the referee no choice but to award a penalty. Up stepped Manchester United’s bag of tricks, Cristiano Ronaldo, to smash the penalty home very convincingly to send Portugal into the last 16 of the competition.

In the 5th minute of injury time, Portugal had the ball in the back of the net for the 3rd time. However, Cristiano Ronaldo was deemed to be offside when his tap in was poked past the Iranian goalkeeper.

All in all, a fairly good, but largely uneventful display from Portugal, who seemed to control the match, and never looked back. Portugal now face Mexico in their final group match to decide who finishes top, however if results go their way, Angola might just sneak past Mexico in the knockout rounds. Angola face Iran, who now play for pride in their final match. Portugal’s victory and qualification to the next round could be a good omen for England. The last time they got past the group stage was in 1966, and we all know what happened that year. Could it be? Keep watching to find out.

Portugal 2-0 Iran

Deco 63
C. Ronaldo 78