Deco magic saves Portugal
As they did against Angola, Portugal struggled to impose themselves on supposedly inferior opponents. In the first half for all their possession they created few chances. Their best chance came coming from a smart Deco turn which was brilliantly saved by Mirzapour. Ronaldo was once again frustrating, focusing too much on crowd pleasing tricks rather than delivering end product. If he continues playing this way it won’t be long before an opponent takes offence and kicks him.
It was a similar story in the second half until Deco’s 63rd minute right footed screamer which gave the excellent Mirzapour no chance. Iran tried to respond but their players always seemed to need an extra touch by which time they had been closed down and could not get shots off. Cristiano Ronaldo’s late penalty, for a trip by Golmohammadi on Figo, killed them off.
Portugal are frustrating. They have so much talent in their team but at the moment they are not producing anywhere near the kind of football that their talent demands. It almost seems as they are still smarting from their defeat in the final of Euro 2004. Despite having qualified for the last 16, it may be a good idea for Big Phil to give his first choice team another run out against Mexico otherwise they will be playing Argentina and taking the next flight home.
Here are the “highlights”
