13 October 2005, by Tom Kundert

Portugal cap brilliant qualifying campaign with convincing victory

Portugal 3-0 Latvia

Portugal rounded off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 victory at the Estádio do Dragão last night. The match also consecrated Pedro Pauleta as the national team’s all-time top scorer. His two goals took his international tally to 42, overtaking the legendary Eusébio.

Scolari changed half the team as Portugal began their final Group 3 match with top spot already guaranteed. Quim replaced Ricardo in goal, Miguel, Caneira and Meira came into the defence, Tiago started, and Deco returned after missing the Liechtenstein match through suspension.

From the start it was clear the team wanted to redeem themselves after the poor display on Saturday. Maniche, back to his dynamic best, and Tiago had already gone close from long range when Pauleta opened the scoring in the 18th minute.

Maniche picked out the Azorean with a pinpoint diagonal pass over the defence, and the PSG striker showed perfect technique, cushioning the ball on his chest and sweeping it into the net without letting it hit the ground. Two minutes later Pauleta scored his second, firing a left-foot shot into the top corner after a quick passing move involving Ronaldo and Figo had given him a metre of space in the box.

Pauleta marches into history books

Pauleta, his team mates and the crowd effusively celebrated the historic strike. It was the 32-year-old’s 42nd goal in 77 matches, surpassing Eusébio’s 41 goals, scored in 64 matches.

Portugal continued to look dangerous, with the Latvian rearguard finding Figo and Deco especially difficult to contain. Nevertheless, on 41 minutes, only a superb double save from Quim prevented the visitors from cutting the deficit.

Scolari used the second half to try out a 4-4-2 system, Nuno Gomes replacing Ronaldo. Portugal continued to dominate, with Deco becoming ever more influential. In one moment of brilliance, the Barcelona midfielder showed all his sumptuous skills to consummately lift the ball over his marker and set up Nuno Gomes, whose shot was blocked.

Scolari also gave a run-out to Postiga and Hugo Viana, and the latter rounded off the scoring with a bullet of a shot five minutes from time.


PortuGoal man of the match:
Deco - Expertly orchestrated Portugal’s attacking play, showing all the lavish skills which earned him the nickname ‘magico’ in his Porto days.


Portugal:
Quim, Miguel, Fernando Meira, Jorge Andrade, Caneira, Maniche, Tiago, Deco, Luís Figo (Hugo Viana, 79), Pauleta (Hélder Postiga, 56), Cristiano Ronaldo (Nuno Gomes, 45)
Yellow Card: Tiago (26)

Latvia:
Kolinko, Stepanovs, Astafjevs, Zakresevskis, Morozs, Isakovs, Zirnis, Solonicins (Visnakovs, 52), Rimkus (Kalnins, 56), Verpakovskis (Blanks, 74), Rubins
Yellow Card: Zakresevskis (59)

Goals:
[1-0] Pauleta, 18
[2-0] Pauleta, 20
[3-0] Hugo Viana, 85