Portugal enjoyed their biggest ever World Cup victory when they overwhelmed North Korea 7-0 in Group G yesterday as the Portuguese put themselves in prime position to accompany Brazil into the second round.
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz had said he would approach the game in three stages — win, score goals and then look at the standings — and his players followed the plan to the letter.
Goals by Raul Meireles in the first half, Simao Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida and Tiago in a seven-minute blitz early in the second, and further strikes by substitute Liedson, Cristiano Ronaldo and Tiago again secured the win that took them on to four points. It was Ronaldo’s first international goal for 16 months.
They are now two points behind already-qualified Brazil, who Portugal meet in their final game, but more importantly have boosted their goal difference so much that Ivory Coast need to score a hatful in their final game against the Koreans.
The Ivorians, beaten 3-1 by Brazil on Sunday, have one point and a draw for Portugal in their final game would in any case guarantee that Queiroz’s side progress to the last 16.
“It was a great display, good goals, great attitude. We needed a moment like this, a well-played game so that the motivation and confidence can be even bigger now,” Queiroz said.
“It’s a big result, but it’s another game and we still haven’t won anything yet. Now we have to think of qualifying for the next round, one game at a time, try to win the next one with the same ambition with which we approached this game,” he said.
North Korea had earned widespread praise for their battling defensive effort against Brazil but, contrary to most predictions, they were far more positive yesterday although they lived to regret it.
Conditions during the match were made treacherous by relentless rain, with defenders slipping and the ball skidding.
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