Villa scores for Spain in 1-0 win over Portugal | World Cup 2010

Villa scores for Spain in 1-0 win over Portugal | World Cup 2010

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)—David Villa finished off a move of Spanish perfection to finally break down Portugal’s defensive wall Tuesday, giving the European champions a 1-0 win and a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Villa scored his fourth goal of the tournament in the 63rd minute, while Cristiano Ronaldo again failed to inspire Portugal.

A trademark Spanish passing move found Andres Iniesta in the center. He flicked the ball through to Xavi Hernandez, who backheeled to Villa, who was bordering on being offside as he charged in on the left.

The Barcelona-bound striker saw his first shot blocked by Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo, but on the rebound, he coolly slotted home with his right foot.

“It was one of my best goals because it got us through to the next round,” Villa said. “Keep scoring so we can keep going.”

Portugal’s only defensive weakness had been on its right flank, where Ricardo Costa struggled. He was sent off for elbowing Joan Capdevila in the 89th minute, stifling a late Portuguese drive.

“The match was extremely intense,” Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. “In the second half, we were better than Portugal. We had greater depth in our play, and we controlled the game very well.”

Ronaldo, the world’s most expensive player, showed only rare flashes of brilliance at the tournament, however.

“We believed that he can do it,” Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said. “He is our leader, our captain.”

Spain will now play Paraguay in the quarterfinals on Saturday at Ellis Park.

Exactly two years after Spain ended a 44-year drought by winning the European Championship, the team stayed on course to become the first European titlist to add the World Cup since West Germany did it in 1974.

Spain was about teamwork, and it showed from the start. Fernando Torres and Villa immediately moved down the left, looking to exploit Portugal’s weakness on right back. Within the first seven minutes, Eduardo had to make three quality saves to keep Portugal in the game on angled shots from Spain’s two strikers.

“His performance was brilliant,” Queiroz said of his goalkeeper. “He saved and kept the team fighting for the result.”

Portugal went out of the tournament after conceding its first goal in four games.

“To lose by one goal in a championship hurts very badly,” Eduardo said.

After the sterling start, strangely enough, Spain did not continue to pound Portugal’s weak right side and instead settled for the intricate passing game through the center it has become famous for.

Once Portugal’s defense settled, it proved why it has one of the best in the world, conceding only one goal in its last 12 matches. It clogged play in the center and Spain got frustrated to the extent that it was reduced to long-range attempts Gerard Pique.

“We never lost our confidence,” Villa said. “We know the potential we have and what we can give.”

Portugal’s problem was that Ronaldo was yet again off form. Right before the opening whistle, he looked up at the night sky and started pleading with his arms outstretched, almost begging to finally make his mark on a huge game.

The heavens didn’t respond.

Ronaldo’s best attempt came from a free kick in the 28th minute when he launched the ball from 35 meters (yards) with such unpredictable dipping swerve and speed that all Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas could do was block it with his body and see the ball bounce free.

Otherwise, Portugal could rely little on its captain. As he was pointing left and right where his teammates should go, he often walked.

In four games, he had shown only a few flashes of his brilliance.

Early in the second half, Portugal almost got the breakthrough it wanted when a cross from Hugo Almeida bounced off the leg of Carles Puyol and the deflection sailed marginally wide of Casillas’ goal.

For all of Torres’s running, he still showed he had not fully recovered from his right knee operation in April. Instead of scoring the winner like he did two years ago to, he was replaced by Fernando Llorente in the 59th, and the match immediately changed.

Llorente had a great header on his first touch of the ball, which Eduardo saved. But two minutes later, Villa scored the lone goal.

Lineups:

Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Joan Capdevila, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso (Carlos Marchena, 90), Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, David Villa (Pedro Rodriguez, 88), Fernando Torres (Fernando Llorente, 59).

Portugal: Eduardo, Bruno Alves, Ricardo Carvalho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa (Liedson, 72), Pepe (Pedro Mendes, 72), Raul Meireles, Hugo Almeida (Danny, 58), Tiago, Ricardo Costa, Fabio Coentr

ao.

Brazil stalemate suits Portugal | World Cup 2010

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Brazil stalemate suits Portugal | World Cup 2010

The Brazilian carnival rolled into Durban on Friday, turning the sunny Indian Ocean coastal city into Copacabana beach for a day. However, the South Americans were unable to reward their vociferous support with goals, drawing 0-0 with Portugal – a result that takes both sides through to the Round of 16.

Brazil had the first chance of a cagey, stop-start first half with a long-distance effort from the tireless Dani Alves, featuring in place of the injured Elano on the right flank. But the Barcelona star hardly troubled Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo as his try trickled harmlessly wide of the post. He had another chance on the quarter-hour mark from a similar distance, with the keeper collecting easily.

Those efforts set the tone for much of what would follow. With Robinho on the bench and Kaka suspended, Brazil were reduced to trying their luck from long range as Juilio Baptista proved unable to get much going in the space behind strikers Nilmar and Luis Fabiano. Up the other end, Cristiano Ronaldo was ploughing a lone furrow in a defensive scheme set up by Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz. Fabio Coentrao was the most dangerous man on the park for the Portuguese, bursting up the left flank and delivering inch-perfect crosses that caused the Brazilian defence some concern in the opening period. Neither Tiago nor Ronaldo could take advantage of the best chances the Benfica wide man carved open, however.

The half-hour mark brought the clearest opening of a hard-fought first half, which produced seven yellow cards. A sneaky ball across the six-yard box from Luis Fabiano found Nilmar lurking at the back post. He rounded Ricardo Carvalho only to be denied by the upright from a tight angle. Seven minutes before the break Luis Fabiano then had a golden chance with a header from a similar position, but was unable to do justice to Dani Alves's cross.

Real Madrid ace Ronaldo, who got the biggest roar from the crowd at the start, began to get himself into some dangerous areas after the restart, forcing the Brazilian back line – captain Lucio in particular – into some last-ditch tackles. His deflected free-kick from distance in the 51st minute had the fans in yellow feeling a little nervous as Portugal began to look more positive in their approach. With substitute Simao pulling the strings, Queiroz's side nearly took the lead on the hour. Ronaldo broke free on the right of the area and when Lucio made the tackle, the ball fell for Raul Meireles, who could only manage to fire wide from close range.

In the end, though, a 0-0 draw was enough for both sides to move on, Brazil as Group G winners and Portugal as runners-up, pipping third-placed Côte d'Ivoire by a point. The Brazilians will now meet the second-placed team from Group H – in action later in the day – with Portugal taking on that section's winners.

World Cup Player Ratings: Portugal 0-0 Brazil | World Cup 2010

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World Cup Player Ratings: Portugal 0-0 Brazil | World Cup 2010

World Cup Player Ratings: Portugal 0-0 Brazil | World Cup 2010

PORTUGAL

Eduardo: 7.5 – Did superbly to get a hand to Nilmar’s near post effort in the first half and looked generally stable before producing a marvellous late save to deny Ramires.

Costa: 6 – Lost Nilmar on occasion but appeared reasonably steady on the ball and gradually proved to have the better of the winger.

Carvalho: 7 – Was commanding at the back as Luis Fabiano rarely got a sniff.

Alves: 7 – Excellent showing as he adapted his position time and again to foil Brazil’s would-be attacks.

Coentrao: 8 – Looked very lively on the ball and dealt largely very well with the dual threat of Maicon and Dani Alves down Brazil’s right.

Pepe: 6.5 – Never out of the action early on as he proved a target for many Brazilians, before himself being booked. A great effort as his recovery continues.

Meireles: 7.5 – Was all action in midfield as he showed up at dangerous moments in both boxes, but will probably wish he had taken that far post chance on his left foot.

Tiago: 6 – Another good display by the midfield man, but failed to show quite the dominance he was able to against North Korea.

Duda: 6 – Battled well enough, but didn’t ever really settle into the game and was replaced by Simao early in the second half.

Danny: 6 – At no point was he heavy involved on the ball, but was regularly a concern with his dangerous runs at the full-backs into space and came into the game more as the match progressed.

Ronaldo: 7 – Always an outlet for Portugal and gave Juan and particularly Lucio a tough evening.

Subs:

Simao: 6 – Came on and provided the extra width Carlos Queiroz had asked of him.

Mendes: 6 – A steady presence after being introduced to spell the returning Pepe.

Veloso: NA

BRAZIL

Julio Cesar: 7 – Made a very brave fingertip stop from Meireles which resulted in a knock to his back. As ever he was in control for the most part.

Maicon: 6.5 – The usual marauding display back and forth by the full back, though he left Lucio somewhat exposed against Ronaldo once or twice.

Lucio: 7 – Excellent performance but for a momentary struggle up against Ronaldo. He remains the rock around which this side is built.

Juan: 7 – Made a couple of very important last minute interventions as he was able to on the rare occasions Lucio was left wanting.

Bastos: 6.5 – Drifted in and out of the game, but still managed to get on top of Danny for the majority.

Felipe Melo: 5 – Not as dominant as in games previous and he was showing signs of losing his head, prompting Dunga to replace him before the break.

Gilberto Silva: 6 – Another strong display in midfield, he largely refused to get caught up in the push and shove of the first half and delivered a composed performance.

Dani Alves: 6 – It was largely a performance summed up by long range shots for the wide man, and he will not be convinced he’s done enough to replace Elano when he returns from injury.

Baptista: 5 – A poor performance filling in for Kaka, being no real danger before eventually being

replaced by Ramires.

Nilmar: 6 – Looked lively early on and forced Eduardo to push an effort onto the frame of the goal, but he drifted out of the game late on.

Fabiano: 5.5 – Marked out of the game for the most part by Carvalho and Alves as he failed to continue the scoring run he started against Ivory Coast on Monday.

Subs:

Josue: 6 – Replaced the hot-headed Felipe Melo and provided a very cool performance as Brazil held out reasonably well in midfield in the second half.

7 yellow cards in ugly 1st half of Brazil-Portugal | World Cup 2010

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DURBAN, South Africa (AP)—What was supposed to be a World Cup classic between two teams known for their attacking flair turned into a huge letdown Friday, with Portugal’s 0-0 draw against Brazil light on quality football and full of yellow cards.

Brazil and Portugal are supposed to be friendly nations with a shared language and colonial past.

But there was no love lost in Friday’s first half in Durban. Four Portugal players and three from Brazil were booked before the break.

Tempers cooled with the night air in the second half, but so did the match’s intensity as the most keenly anticipated first-round fixture fizzled out and the players were jeered at the final whistle.

“We were expecting much more than that,” a Brazil fan who identified himself as Chiago said outside the ground. “We played a lot in defense, we didn’t attack very much.”

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz, however, said he was happy with the result and his players’ performance after the draw which saw Portugal secure second place in the group and progress to the round of 16. Brazil already was assured of qualifying before the match, but made sure of top spot in Group G with the draw.

“I think it was a great spectacle, a football feast,” Queiroz said with a straight face. “Brazil played very strongly in the first few minutes but after that initial period of domination … Portugal slowly started to control the game. Attacking whenever it had possession.

Brazil coach Dunga was less impressed, effectively accusing Portugal of strangling the spectacle with defensive tactics aimed at a draw.

“It was a difficult game. The Portuguese team defended from the midfield backwards which made it very difficult for us to penetrate,” he said. “It was a very tough game—there were quite a few fouls committed, which made it difficult for our team.”

In fact, Brazil committed 18 fouls to Portugal’s 11, according to the official match statistics.

First into Mexican referee Benito Archundia’s book was Luis Fabiano of Brazil for a late challenge on Pepe in the 15th minute. Ten minutes later Brazil defender Juan was cautioned for a deliberate hand ball and Portugal’s Duda followed him after screaming at the referee that he should have sent Juan off.

Tiago was next, in the 31st minute, for a blatant dive in Brazil’s penalty area. Nine minutes later, Pepe was carded for a foul on Felipe Melo. When the Brazil defender returned the compliment by body checking Pepe three minutes later, he too was cautioned and Dunga almost immediately substituted him as tempers frayed on both sides.

Fabio Coentrao of Portugal made it 4-3 in cards at half time when he was booked for a foul just before the break.

The calmest man on the pitch was Cristiano Ronaldo, who was carrying a yellow card from his team’s 0-0 draw with Ivory Coast and clearly did not want to risk another, that would have ruled him out of Portugal’s next match.

Quieroz substituted both Duda and Pepe early in the second half, most likely to ensure that neither picked up another card and a suspension for the round of 16.

As bad as the first-half was, it paled in comparison to Portugal’s 1-0 defeat of the Netherlands at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, a match marred by countless fouls, four red cards and 16 yellows.

Brazil wins Group G after 0-0 draw with Portugal | World Cup 2010

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Brazil wins Group G after 0-0 draw with Portugal

Portugal reached the second round of the World Cup on Friday after a listless 0-0 draw with group winner Brazil. Brazil had already secured advancement and won Group G with seven points, two more than Portugal. Ivory Coast, which beat North Korea 3-0, was third with four points. The Koreans ended with zero.

Portugal came into the match with a comfortable goal differential to just about guarantee its spot in the round of 16 even with a loss.

Brazil coach Dunga blamed Portugal’s defensive setup for the lackluster result.

“We played to win, but our opponent didn’t,” Dunga said. “We always tried to attack, but they only tried to take advantage of our mistakes.”

Brazil plays the runner-up in Group H on Monday in Johannesburg.

“Portugal came playing back, trying to use Cristiano Ronaldo on the counterattacks,” Julio Cesar said. “It was a difficult group so it was good to finish first. Now the hard part begins and we can’t lose anymore.”

Portugal faces the Group H winner Tuesday in Cape Town. Not surprisingly, its coach blamed Brazil for the lack of offense.

“Brazil played very strongly in the first few minutes, but after that initial period of domination Portugal slowly started to control the game. In the end, the draw was a fair result,” coach Carlos Queiroz said.

“Portugal advanced with merits and now we have to start thinking about our next matches. It was a difficult match for Brazil and for us.”

Both teams had good chances, but failed to capitalize at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Brazil striker Nilmar had a shot tipped against the goalpost by goalkeeper Eduardo in the 30th minute, and Luis Fabiano’s close-range header just missed wide in the 39th. Portugal had a goal denied by keeper Julio Cesar in the 60th, when he barely tipped wide a shot by Raul Meireles after a dangerous run by Ronaldo.

The match was one of the most-anticipated in the group stage, a meeting between two talented teams known for their attacking style. Brazil came into the tournament as the top-ranked team, while Portugal is No. 3. Both teams had dominating wins in the previous match, with Brazil beating Ivory Coast 3-1 and Portugal routing North Korea 7-0.

The result kept alive a 19-match unbeaten streak for Portugal, which hasn’t lost since a 6-2 defeat at Brazil in a 2008 friendly. It halted Brazil’s seven-match winning streak.

Brazil controlled possession most of the physical match in front of 62,712 fans, with Portugal relying on quick counterattacks and the skills of Ronaldo. Mexican referee Benito Archundia showed seven yellow cards—four to Portugal— in the first half.

The best opportunity for the Brazilians came from Nilmar after a perfect pass from Luis Fabiano. But Eduardo knocked it off the post.

Luis Fabiano, who scored twice against Ivory Coast, also had a great chance after a cross from Maicon, but his header bounced off the ground and just missed wide with the goalkeeper beaten.

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar made an incredible save on the shot by Meireles after a dangerous run from Ronaldo, who beat three defenders on the right before Lucio touched the ball across the area and into Meireles’ path.

Both teams played without their top playmakers and it probably made a difference. Brazil couldn’t count on Kaka because of a late red card in the match against Ivory Coast, while Portugal was without Brazil-born Deco for the second straight match because of a right hip injury.

The Brazilians also played without starting midfielder Elano because of a right ankle injury sustained in the second half against the Ivorians, and coach Dunga left Robinho out of starting lineup to rest.

It was the first time the teams met at the World Cup since Eusebio helped the Portuguese beat the Brazilians 3-1 in 1966.

FABIO COENTRAO

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FABIO COENTRAO

At times, football can be a cruel game. For every successful career, there are those who fall by the wayside, outstanding talents destined never to grace the sport’s greatest stage. In the case of Portugal’s young star Fabio Coentrao, his ability has never been in doubt, but he has had to work hard to show the desire and will to win required at the top level.

Coentrao exploded onto the scene with Rio Ave, where his dazzling wing-play, electric pace and ability to beat defenders in the manner of a Portuguese star of a previous generation earned him the nickname ‘Figo das Caxinas’ in reference not just to the great man but also to his hometown, Vila do Conde.

In 2007/08, Benfica swooped to sign the young winger, giving him his long-awaited opportunity to prove himself on a bigger stage. But the youngster initially struggled in his new surroundings, and many seasoned observers wondered whether his unquestioned potential would ever be translated into the successful career that seemed to lie ahead of him. Coentrao swallowed his pride and went out on loan, firstly to Madeira, where he played for Nacional, then to Real Zaragoza, in Spain, and finally back to his first club, Rio Ave.

The talented winger grew in confidence, and was finally ready to turn potential into reality. At the start of the 2009/10 season Benfica coach, Jorge Jesus, gave him his big chance at left-back, and Coentrao has gone on to put together a string of impressive displays. It was not long before international football came calling, and three years after starring for his country in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the Benfica player was selected by national coach Carlos Queiroz for the decisive play-off qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

SIMAO

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SIMAO

Portugal’s winger Simao has always been one to rewrite history. Since he made his top-flight debut as a fresh-faced 17 year-old, he has never been out of the limelight. The Atletico Madrid star heads to South Africa this summer hoping to add to his tally of 79 full international caps, a total which makes him the most-capped member of the current Portugal squad.

Simaozinho, or ‘Little Simao,’ as he was known, made a dramatic start to his professional career with Sporting. The teenager came on as a 77^th minute substitute against Salgueiros, and, barely 60 seconds later, became the youngest-ever top-flight goalscorer in Portuguese league history. At last, the fans at the Jose Alvalade had an idol to rival that other flying winger, Luis Figo, in their affections. What nobody could have expected was how Simao’s road to football stardom would so closely mirror the stellar career of Figo himself.

Just like his legendary predecessor, Simao made his international debut at the age of 19, and, as he had done with Sporting, marked his international bow with his first goal for his country. After getting his first taste of tournament football at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Nigeria, in 1999, he decided to leave his homeland behind, and seek his fortune abroad.

He left Lisbon after two seasons, moving to Catalan giants Barcelona to play alongside Figo himself. Their partnership only lasted one season as, at the end of the 1999/2000 campaign, Figo moved to Barcelona’s bitter rivals, Real Madrid. In fact, Simao himself only stayed one more year in the Catalan capital, but enjoyed some memorable moments, not least when the Portuguese superstar returned to the Camp Nou with his new team. On that fateful evening, it was the pupil who upstaged the master, as Simao bagged his team’s second goal to seal an azulgrana victory.

Summer 2001 saw Simao return to his homeland, this time to Sporting’s city rivals, Benfica. Ironically, in a repeat of his professional debut with Sporting, his first match with As Águias (The Eagles) came against Salgueiros. Simao wasted no time in winning over the fans at the Stadium of Light, who made no secret of their joy in having captured such a talented player from the clutches of their arch-rivals.

Having settled in his new surroundings, the winger set his sights on the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™. But luck was not on his side; he picked up a knee injury in Portugal's final warm-up game, and was forced to miss the tournament altogether.

However, it was only a matter of time before Simao had the chance to shine on football’s biggest stage. After representing the equipa das Quinas in UEFA EURO 2004, and captaining Benfica to league championship success in 2004 and 2005, he arrived in Germany in 2006 in the form of his life. He played in all seven of Portugal’s games at the finals, helping Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men to fourth place.

On the eve of his second FIFA World Cup finals, Simao knows that, if all goes according to plan, he will finish the tournament amongst his country’s top five capped players of all time, where he will join the likes of Figo, Fernando Couto, Rui Costa, Pauleta, Joao Pinto and Vitor Baia in the pantheon of Portuguese football.

PEDRO MENDES

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PEDRO MENDES

More artisan than artist, Pedro Mendes is an unsung hero of the Portugal squad. He specialises in hard graft, often sacrificing himself so that others around him can express themselves. But Mendes is also a shrewd reader of the game, an experienced campaigner who is a vital cog in the Portuguese midfield machine.

Success has followed Mendes throughout his career. At the tender age of 20, he was already a regular for Vitoria de Guimaraes, the club he supported as a boy, making a name for himself as a disciplined and unselfish presence in the middle of the park.

After four outstanding seasons with his hometown club, he made a dream move to FC Porto in 2003/04. Jose Mourinho’s men were coming off a stellar campaign, in which they had notched up another Portuguese league title as well as winning the UEFA Cup and Mendes helped the men from the Estadio das Antas to even greater heights, in the shape of the UEFA Champions League. The midfielder started the final against Monaco, putting in yet another efficient and measured performance as Porto sealed a comprehensive 3-0 victory.

By then, the hardworking Mendes was already a Portugal international, but an embarrassment of midfield riches on the part of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari meant that the player missed out on UEFA EURO 2004. Instead, with his UEFA Champions League medal in the bag, he moved to England, where he enjoyed spells with Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth, before signing for Scottish club Glasgow Rangers.

Five years after his last call-up, the experienced Mendes was a surprise choice for Portugal’s qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010, but he was quick to seize his opportunity. Now safely ensconced back in Portuguese football with Sporting, it seems as if the time has come for the midfielder to fulfil a long-standing ambition, and represent his country at a major international tournament.

RICARDO CARVALHO

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RICARDO CARVALHO

Like so many other kids, the young Ricardo Carvalho had only one dream: to be a professional footballer. In the case of the Chelsea centre-half, his sole ambition was to be a top defender just like his hero, Fernando Couto, even to the point of growing his hair long in the style of the legendary Portuguese stopper. But Carvalho could hardly have imagined how he would develop into a fine player in his own right, even managing to play alongside Couto himself.

Of course, success does not come without sacrifice and for the young defender, this meant daily two-hour bus journeys to attend training with FC Porto’s youth team. The effort paid off, as Carvalho carved out a niche for himself in the first team in 2000/01, going on to be one of the bedrocks of a trophy-laden spell for the Portuguese giants. Under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, they won two domestic league titles, the UEFA Cup in 2002/03 and the UEFA Champions League in 2003/04.

By then, the defender’s classy displays had earned him a call-up to the national squad, and into the Portuguese squad for UEFA EURO 2004 alongside his boyhood hero, Fernando Couto. After Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men lost to Greece in the opening game of the tournament, Carvalho took Couto’s place in the starting line-up, and helped his team to the final.

From Oporto, the talented centre-back teamed up with his former coach, Jose Mourinho, at Chelsea. Mourinho has since gone, but Carvalho’s elegant style has won him a host of admirers in England, and he has also gone on to represent his country at both the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006™ and UEFA EURO 2008. There is little doubt that he will one of Portugal’s stars in South Africa 2010.

CRISTIANO RONALDO Portugal | World Cup 2010

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CRISTIANO RONALDO Portugal

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo turns the beautiful game into child’s play. As Brazil’s legendary FIFA World Cup-winning midfielder Didi once said: “If we don’t treat the ball with love, she won’t do what we want her to do.” Perhaps more than any other player of the modern era, Real Madrid’s flying winger seems to maintain that wide-eyed innocence on the field that makes every dazzling dribble and every penetrating pass feel like the very first. And such is his artistry that, almost magnetically, the ball returns to his feet time and time again, ready for the next touch of genius.

There is something almost balletic about Cristiano Ronaldo’s play that transforms mere possession of the ball into a footballing pas-de-deux. Much as he is restless, almost jealous, whilst others enjoy the limelight, the graceful Ronaldo comes to life with the ball at his feet, pirouetting away from opposing defenders with poise, and gliding across the stage with an uncommon elegance.

From his early days with local club Andorinha, where his father was kit man, it was clear that the young Cristiano was destined for greatness. After a short stint with Nacional, he left Madeira to follow his dream and, as it has turned out, to become one of the greatest players in the world.

But in keeping with the finest artistic traditions, the young star’s rise to footballing pre-eminence came on the back of a series of life-changing choices. The first was to leave his family behind on the tiny Atlantic island in order to join Sporting Lisbon’s famous academy. Naturally, the winger found a home from home on a bigger stage, and success followed quickly. It was at the age of 15 that the talented teenager faced his greatest trial as a routine medical examination revealed an irregular heartbeat. Typically, Cristiano took the setback in his elegant stride, and a successful operation soon saw Madeira’s favourite son resume his career, from where he would go on to conquer the world.

Sporting’s fans were the first to bear witness to the young genius. He made his first team debut at the age of 17, scoring twice in the process. As it turned out, he would only wear the famous green-and-white hoops for one complete season; at the start of 2003/04, English giants Manchester United came to the Portuguese capital to play Sporting in a friendly to mark the opening of the new Jose Alvalade Stadium. It was love at first sight. The teenager bewitched his illustrious opponents, and Sir Alex Ferguson swooped to bring the youngster to Old Trafford, giving him the famous number 7 shirt, as worn by United legends George Best, Bryan Robson and Eric Cantona.

With the world at his feet, Cristiano Ronaldo blazed a trail through English football on his way to becoming a global superstar. Adulation and awards followed in equal measure: he was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008, and he managed to fill the Santiago Bernabeu single-handedly as Real Madrid’s fans turned out in force to welcome their latest acquisition in 2009. All that is missing is success on the game’s greatest stage. He suffered the bitter disappointment of just missing out on glory with Portugal in UEFA Euro 2004. When the hosts finished runners-up to Greece that year, the image of the youngster in tears flashed around the world. In South Africa, he will be wiser, stronger and hungrier than ever before to turn his country’s dreams into reality and lead them to FIFA World Cup™ glory.

Score Portugal vs. North Korea 7-0

2010 World Cup, football, soccer, USA, Portugal, Japan, Denmark, Uruguay, Paraguay, Italy, Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Ghana, Brazil, Germany, France, England, Slovenia, Korea Republic, Mexico, Netherlands, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Korea DPR, Cameroon, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Portugal, USA, Uruguay, Switzerland, Honduras, Greece, New Zealand, Spain, Nigeria

Portugal vs. North Korea

Today's first match at the FIFA World Cup was played between teams of Portugal and North Korea. The winner, as expected, was Portugal, and the final result was even 7:0.

This is the biggest victory in this World Cup, but also the biggest victory of the Portuguese team in history. Although it did not seems to be so at the beginning of the match, because the first 30 minutes passed without a goal, after half hour followed a series of goals for Portugal.

Scorers for Portugal were: Raul Meireles (29'), Simão (53'), Hugo Almeida (56'), Tiago (60', 89'), Liédson (81') and Rolando (87').

The Portuguese can actually be very happy with this match, because apart from the excellent result, their best player - Cristiano Ronaldo, finally scored a goal (the first for the national team after a period of 16 months without goals).

Portugal vs. Ivory Coast 0-0

2010 World Cup, football, soccer, USA, Portugal, Japan, Denmark, Uruguay, Paraguay, Italy, Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Ghana, Brazil, Germany, France, England, Slovenia, Korea Republic, Mexico, Netherlands, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Korea DPR, Cameroon, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Portugal, USA, Uruguay, Switzerland, Honduras, Greece, New Zealand, Spain, Nigeria

Portugal vs. Ivory

In a game of first round in group G, which is called "group of death" of World Cup 2010, first match played Portugal and Ivory Coast. The match ended without goals, score was 0-0.

This match has not offered an interesting football. Both teams are concentrating more on defense than on offense part of game. That approach resulted in a match without goals in which both teams won one point.

The most interesting moment of the first half, and of the whole game, occurred in 11 minute when Cristiano Ronaldo tried his luck with a shot from distance over 25 meters, but the ball hit the goal frame.

In the second half there were a few interesting situation for both teams, but without a distinct opportunity for a goal. So, in this match the most excitement offered Didier Drogba who entered in the game in the 65th minute of match, replacing Solomon Kalou. Drogba played just 10 days after he broke his arm in a friendly match against Japan.

Ronaldo: Don't count us out

2010 World Cup, football, soccer, USA, Portugal, Japan, Denmark, Uruguay, Paraguay, Italy, Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Ghana, Brazil, Germany, France, England, Slovenia, Korea Republic, Mexico, Netherlands, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Korea DPR, Cameroon, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Portugal, USA, Uruguay, Switzerland, Honduras, Greece, New Zealand, Spain, Nigeria

Cristiano Ronaldo

On the eve of his country’s South Africa 2010 bow, Portugal’s captain is quietly confident. As his team finalised their preparations to face Côte d’Ivoire in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo told FIFA that, while A Selecção das Quinas may not rank among the favourites, anything is possible with their fans behind them and their customary team spirit to call upon.

In an exclusive interview with FIFA, the Real Madrid stiker expressed his delight at having the chance to take part in Africa’s first FIFA World Cup™. For Ronaldo, the differences between South Africa 2010 and Germany 2006 are obvious: “Yes, of course it’s different. It’s the first World Cup ever played in Africa and more importantly we’re playing in winter. But ever since we arrived the experience has been fantastic and I think that’s the way it is going to be until the final game of the tournament.”

Ronaldo happily admitted that Carlos Queiroz’s squad is revelling in the atmosphere. “We’re all very happy to be here. A lot of our squad haven’t played in a World Cup before, and so they’re desperate to play. We’re also confident that we’re going to play well and give a very good account of ourselves. Fortunately everything is going well so far.”

In spite of his relatively tender age, the 25-year old is one of the most experienced members of the Portugal squad and he will have the honour of wearing the captain’s armband at the finals, something he considers a genuine privilege. “What do you need to captain a team? Firstly, I think it’s important not to change what you do just because you’re captain, and above anything else, you have to be totally honest.

"Everyone has their own personality and character. I’ve got mine, and I don’t change who I am whether I’m captain or not. But of course, for me it is a privilege to be captain of Portugal. It makes me very proud. My team-mates know me very well, and I know them, and everything is going very well. There’s a great camaraderie in our squad, we’re great friends, and there’s a real family atmosphere. That’s the only way we can win and be successful.”

The Real Madrid talisman is one of world football’s biggest stars, and the focus of huge attention wherever he goes. The many thousands of people of Portuguese extraction who live in South Africa have offered him a hero's welcome, and Ronaldo is grateful for the reception he and his team-mates have been afforded. “Well, of course we knew that there were going to be lots of Portuguese here and that they would encourage the team and that makes us very happy," he said. "Having that little bit of extra backing when we’re on the pitch is crucial. And that’s why I would like to take the opportunity to thank the fans for all of their support so far.”

Naturally, those passionate Portuguese fans are dreaming of roaring their team towards FIFA World Cup™ glory. For his part, Ronaldo believes that his side are in with a genuine chance: “As I said before the finals, we’re not one of the favourites. But that doesn’t mean that a supposedly unfancied team can’t become world champions. I think that some of the teams at this World Cup have got a bit more about them than we have, and that’s no secret, but we’re going to fight all the way. We’re going to give it our best shot and if we do anything could happen.”

At the Portuguese helm is a coach who knows exactly what it takes to get to the summit of world football. Carlos Queiroz led his country to two FIFA U-20 World Cup titles, in 1989 and 1991, and his captain is quick to sing the praises of the man who will be hoping to repeat the trick with the senior side. “I got to know Carlos Queiroz a few years ago and fortunately for me I’ve had the pleasure and the privilege of working with him, firstly when I was at Manchester United and now with the national team. He has been crucial for my career because he has helped me to improve my style of play. I very much enjoy working with him.”

Not everything has gone smoothly for the Iberian side in the run-up to their FIFA World Cup opener. A shoulder injury robbed Manchester United winger Nani of the chance to play in the finals, and his former team-mate at Old Trafford will readily admit that he will miss his old friend, both on and off the pitch. “Nani was playing really well, he was in great form and obviously we’re going to miss him. Not only for what he can do on the pitch, but also because of his presence in the squad and the way that he would support his team-mates. He was a key player for us. Unfortunately he has picked up an injury and we’ve got some very good players who can take his place, but of course he will be a very big loss.”

One of the main talking points surrounding Portugal’s game with Côte d’Ivoire on Tuesday has been the fitness of the Africans’ star striker Didier Drogba and more specifically whether he will recover from injury in time to play some part in the game. Portugal’s own superstar, however, is less concerned about whether Drogba plays or not because, as he says, Les Elephants are not a one-man team.

He said: “Everybody is only talking about Drogba, and whether he plays or not, but to be honest, we’re not really thinking about that. We’re only concerned with ourselves. We’re feeling good, we’re confident and ready to make a good start to the competition. If Drogba doesn’t play, someone else will take his place and so we have to be ready. We just need to focus on ourselves."

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has been ruled out of Portugal's crucial World Cup 2010 two-legged playoff matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina on November 14 and 18 due to an ankle injury. Portugal's coach Carlos Queiroz had wanted to call up the Real Madrid star for the two World Cup qualifiers, but in the end the Portuguese Football authorities declared Ronaldo unfit for the games. A statement from Portugal's football federation read: "The player is not in good enough physical condition to train with the squad ahead of the play-offs," And Ronaldo himself expressed his frustration with the whole situation: "It's really frustrating not to be able to help Portugal particularly at such a key moment like the play-off against Bosnia," he said. This is a huge blow for Portugal, as their main man will miss these two key World Cup 2010 qualifiers.