Budweiser Man of the Match: Luis Figo (POR)

11 June 2006

Luis Figo earned the Budweiser Man of the Match honours after Portugal's 1-0 victory over Angola in their first match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™. Portugal ran their attack through Figo throughout the match and he was the one who created the game’s only goal, leaving Pauleta with an easy finish into an open goal in the fourth minute.

“Figo’s vision of football is great,” said FIFA Technical Study Group member Kalusha Bwalya. “He looks in a very good physical condition and the armband makes him a symbol of Portuguese football. He enjoyed himself tonight and capitalised on a loose ball in the only goal of the match – he ran past one opponent and assisted Pauleta.

“Overall, it was a wonderful all-round performance by the Portuguese captain. As well as taking the lead in the creative department, he proved his fitness by helping out with defensive duties. Even after the more defensive-minded Costinha came on for Cristiano Ronaldo, Figo, who played more on the left from then on, was always the commanding figure in the side.”