Portugal overcame the early loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to move
into pole position for a World Cup Qualifying play-off.
Two goals from Simao Sabrosa and a header from Liedson earned
the hosts their first home win in the qualifying campaign. That,
coupled with Sweden's 1-0 defeat away to group winners Denmark,
saw Carlos Queiroz's side move into second place in Group One,
a position they can wrap up if they beat Malta in Guimaraes on
Wednesday.
Ronaldo had made an impact before his departure as his shot in
the 18th minute was fumbled by keeper Gabor Babos and Atletico
Madrid winger Simao reacted quickest to tuck away the loose ball
and set his side on their way to victory. The Real Madrid star
then saw an ankle injury end his participation before the half-hour
mark, as he was replaced by former Manchester United team-mate
Nani.
Hungary had two chances to equalise before the interval, with
Balazs Dzsudzsak the first to threaten when his effort was blocked
by midfielder Duda. Defender Roland Juhasz went even closer in
first-half stoppage time as his header rattled the hosts' crossbar.
Portugal's defence held their opponents at arm's length in the
early stages of the second half and eased the pressure on them
when Sporting's Liedson scored the second goal - his second in
just three caps since gaining Portuguese citizenship - in the
74th minute.
Bruno Alves delivered his side's 12th corner of the game and
the Brazilian-born forward headed powerfully past NEC Nijmegen
captain Babos. Five minutes later, Simao capped a man-of-the-match
performance as he met Duda's left-wing cross and headed his second
and Portugal's third to put the result absolutely beyond doubt. |
