PORTUGAL 2-1 MEXICO

21 June 2006

Portugal made it three wins out of three in Group D as they defeated Mexico 2-1 in Gelsenkirchen through goals from Maniche and Simao Sabrosa on Wednesday, 21 June 2006.

While Portugal advanced as group winners to face the second-placed team in Group C - either Argentina or the Netherlands - in a Round of 16 tie in Nuremberg on Sunday, Mexico joined them in the knockout stage after finishing second with four points. El Tri will take on the Group C winners on Saturday in Leipzig.

The Mexicans trailed 2-0 inside 24 minutes in Gelsenkirchen after Maniche shot Portugal into a sixth-minute lead and Simao Sabrosa doubled the advantage from the penalty spot. Jose Fonseca made it 2-1 in the 29th minute but Omar Bravo's missed spot-kick in the second half ensured a defeat for Ricardo La Volpe's team. Mexico also suffered the loss of Luis Perez to a red card, which means he will miss the Round of 16 match through suspension.

The match:
2': Mexico made a fast start as Jose Fonseca, picking up possession on the edge of the box, turned inside his man and forced Ricardo into a good low save with a powerful strike.

6': Having already assured qualification, Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had left on the bench five players on yellow cards – Cristiano Ronaldo, Costinha, Deco, Nuno Valente and Pauleta. Yet their absences were not felt as the Portuguese took an early lead: Simao Sabrosa raced towards goal and squared for the onrushing Maniche to power a shot into the top corner from around the penalty spot. (1-0)

8': Mexico, two points behind Portugal going into the game, were almost level immediately. Pavel Pardo crossed for Bravo whose acrobatic effort fell inches wide of the post.

24': Scolari's side were looking comfortable and were presented with a golden opportunity to extend their lead when captain Rafael Marquez handled Luis Figo's corner. With Oswaldo Sanchez dancing on his line, Simao crashed the penalty home. (2-0)

27': Mexico were stunned and they almost conceded a third soon afterwards. Helder Postiga's effort from the corner of the area was saved by Sanchez before Tiago fired the follow-up over.

29': Bravo almost pulled a goal back for Mexico. Alone at the back post he volleyed low and hard but Ricardo got down well to block the effort with the ball spinning onto the bar and over. From the resulting corner, however, Fonseca did score, flicking a fine header into the unguarded far post to reduce the arrears. (2-1)

43': Fonseca saw another headed effort float wide before Maniche forced Sanchez into a save from 25 yards at the other end.

44': Mexico pushed for the equaliser. Pardo saw his long-range strike saved and from the resulting corner, Portugal finally cleared the danger after an almighty scramble in their penalty box.

Bravo misses from the spot:
57': La Volpe's men poured forward and and earned a penalty as Miguel handled the ball. However, the chance went begging as Bravo smashed the penalty high into the netting above the crossbar.

61': Miguel was involved in another incident, tussling with Luis Perez in the Portugal box. The Mexican went down but this time the referee gave a free-kick the other way before handing a second yellow and then a red card to Perez.

63': Bravo had another great chance to hand the ten men an equaliser. Clean through on goal, the Guadalajara forward lifted his shot high over the bar.

72': With the news that Angola had gone a goal up, the Mexican bench became more agitated. More good work down the left from Simao presented substitute Nuno Gomes with a chance to add a third but he fired over.

83': Now on the right side, Simao beat his man and sent in a vicious cross that Nuno Gomes was a whisker away from reaching.

87': The Europeans were again close to a third. Sanchez threw the ball against the back of a defender and had to back-track fast as an effort flew inches over the bar.

90+2': Maniche found time again to shoot but the icing on the cake just would not arrive as Sanchez parried.

In conclusion:
Portugal advance to the second round for the first time since 1966 in some style, having claimed maximum points. Mexico - with a win, a draw and a loss - will hope to find some consistency as they head into the knockout stage yet again.