Portugal beat Mexico 2-1 to win group

By Karen Iley

GELSENKIRCHEN (Reuters) – Portugal sealed top spot in World
Cup Group D on Wednesday by beating Mexico 2-1, while the
Mexicans also reached the last 16 despite their defeat.

Portugal, who were already sure of a place in the second
round, won all three group games. Mexico claimed second spot
after debutants Angola were held 1-1 by Iran in the other
match.

A goal from Maniche and a Simao Sabrosa penalty inside the
first 24 minutes gave Portugal a 2-0 lead before Jose Fonseca
pulled a goal back five minutes later.

The Mexicans went down to 10 men in the 61st minute when
Luis Perez was sent off for a second yellow card after going
down in the box looking for a penalty.

Mexico had thrown away the chance of an equalizer in the
57th minute when Omar Bravo blasted a penalty into the crowd.

Portugal will play the runners-up in Group C, either
Netherlands or Argentina, in Nuremberg on Sunday. Mexico must
face the winners of that group in Leipiz on Saturday.

SCOLARI SUCCESS

The victory was the 10th in a row at the finals for
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who steered his native
Brazil to seven straight victories when they won the 2002
title.

“Ten wins in the World Cup is the kind of thing that would
mark anybody’s life, especially mine,” Scolari told reporters.

He said he liked Portugal’s attitude against Mexico.

“It wasn’t a game where everything was at its best but the
way the team carried itself from beginning to end, I think it
was good,” said Scolari.

Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe said his team did not convert
enough of their chances.

“I believe our main problem is scoring,” said La Volpe. “We
had a penalty and didn’t get it in. We have the forwards we
need, we get to the opposing goalkeeper but we must put away
our chances.”

Portugal, resting five players on yellow cards, took the
lead in the sixth minute. Maniche supplied Simao, who made a
lovely run on the left flank before returning the ball to
Maniche to hammer home.

Portugal went two ahead after an inexplicable handball in
the box by Mexico’s captain Rafael Marquez. Winger Simao
stepped forward to convert the penalty in the 24th minute.

Mexico got back in the game when Fonseca headed home from a
Pavel Pardo corner.

Mexico had a chance to equalize in the 57th minute after
Miguel handled the ball attempting to make a tackle, but
Bravo’s penalty sailed into the crowd.

Perez, booked in the first half, wanted another penalty
four minutes later as he tangled with Miguel. Referee Lubos
Michel of Slovakia waved away the appeal and showed Perez a
second yellow.