Portugal Finally Pushes Through

Portugal waited 40 years to once again get beyond the first round of the World Cup.

Deco scored with a powerful first-time shot from outside the penalty area in the 63rd minute and Cristiano Ronaldo made a penalty kick 10 minutes from the end to give the Portuguese a 2-0 win over Iran on Saturday. That guaranteed advancement into the round of 16 for Portugal, which last got this far in 1966 behind its greatest player, Eusebio.

Portugal finished third that year but has struggled in soccer’s premier event ever since -- including four years ago, when an opening loss to the United States led to a first-round elimination.

Portugal has six points in Group D. It beat Angola, 1-0, in its opening match.

“This is a historic moment for Portugal, the first time in 40 years it has come so far. We’re elated,” Portugal Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. “We played better than against Angola. We showed some of our skill today.”

Iran remained winless, having lost its opener to Mexico, 3-1, and was eliminated.

Scolari, a Brazilian, said his team wouldn’t sit back for its final group game against Mexico.

“We still want to beat Mexico to ensure first place in the group,” Scolari said.

Just as they did against Angola, the Portuguese failed to keep their usual spark after a bright start, allowing an opponent to stay close. Then came the two second-half goals -- and a spot in the second round.

Luis Figo set up both goals.

In an otherwise disappointing display in his 122nd international appearance, the Portuguese captain broke down the left flank and passed inside for an unmarked Deco to fire home.

Deco had missed the opener because of a strained leg muscle.

On another break down the left, Figo was brought down in the area by Yahya Golmohammadi for the penalty kick. Ronaldo stepped up to the spot and fired in a hard shot.