Cape Town, June 21 (DPA) Portugal took command of their Group G football World Cup match with three goals in seven minutes to demolish North Korea 7-0 Monday and took a big step towards reaching the round of 16, while eliminating the Asians.
Knowing they still have to face Brazil in their group finale, Portugal booked their first victory in South Africa with Raul Meireles scoring the opener in the 29th minute.
Six goals followed in the second half. Simao (53rd), Hugo Almeida (56th) and Tiago (60th) then scored in machine gun fashion before Liedson made it 5-0 in the 81st minute.
Man of the Match Cristiano Ronaldo finally found the back of the net in the 87th minute – his first goal since February 2009 – and Tiago struck again in the 89th for Portugal’s biggest victory in World Cup history.
The win raised Portugal’s tally to four points in Group G, behind Brazil, who have already booked a final 16 spot with six points from two games. Ivory Coast have one point and North Korea are left on zero points and have been eliminated.
The margin of victory was also important for Portugal, who need only a draw again Brazil to advance and could still do so with a loss should Ivory Coast fail to beat North Korea convincingly.
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz made four changes to the starting XI that drew 0-0 with Ivory Coast in the group opener. While playmaking ace Deco was out with a hip injury, also taken out were Paulo Ferreira, Liedson and Danny in favour of Miguel, Tiago, Simao and Hugo Almeida.
North Korea coach Kim Jong Huh, meanwhile, trusted the same line-up that fought to a 1-2 loss against Brazil. And the Asians came in hoping to make good the history from 1966 when they led against Portugal 3-0 but ended up losing 3-5 with Eusebio – who was on hand in Cape Town – scoring four goals.
In heavy rain, Ricardo Carvalho headed a corner off the left post from seven yards in the seventh minute. But the Asians were less than impressed and had a number of chances.
Cha Jong Hyok’s long range blast in the 11th minute went just right and Hong Yong Jo sent a superb pass over the backline but Jong Tae Se could not latch on three minutes later.
Portugal keeper Eduardo needed to make a fine save on Hong’s shot in the 18th minute with Pak Nam Chol’s rebound header went over the crossbar.
Meireles scored the first goal of the game in the 29th. Tiago sent a fine through ball to Meireles, who one-timed it past Korean keeper Ri Myong Guk for the lead.
The Europeans dominated the proceedings from that point on and doubled the advantage in the 53rd. After some fancy close range passing at the edge of the area, Meireles fed a ball into the right side of the area where Simao blasted through the legs of Ri.
Queiroz’s men finished off North Korea for good in the 56th minute. Fabio Coentrao streaked down the left side and crossed in to Almeida, who headed across the run of Ri.
Tiago joined the scoring party at the hour mark with Ronaldo crossing from left side and the Atletico Madrid beat the Korean keeper from the edge of the area. And substitute Liedson made it 5-0 in the 81st minute.
The only question left was if Ronaldo would finally score after last hitting in February 2009 – a stretch of 11 matches. The Real Madrid striker, who hammered the post against the Ivory Coast and promised he would score against North Korea, hit the framework with a long blast in the 71st minute.
Ronaldo ran onto a through ball, which bounced up and onto his neck and fell to his side from where he blasted home in the 87th minute. And Tiago finished the scoring in the 89th minute.
