28 May 2006, by Tom Kundert

Pauleta warms up for Germany with hatrick

Portugal 4-1 Cape Verde

Portugal comfortably won their final World Cup preparation match on home soil against Cape Verde in Evora yesterday. PSG striker Pedro Pauleta was the star of the show, confirming his excellent form with a fine hatrick, with Petit also getting on the scoresheet in a 4-1 victory.

Scolari sent out what could well by his starting line-up for Portugal’s opening match against Angola on 11 June, with Petit, Maniche, Deco, Figo and Ronaldo strung across midfield and Pauleta the lone striker.

Pauleta, who scored 21 goals in 36 matches to finish top scorer in France this season, opened the scoring in the 1st minute, converting an accurate through-ball from Fernando Meira.

However, Cape Verde surprised the sell-out crowd at the sun-drenched stadium when an excellent cross fired in by Cafu was turned into his own net by Meira. On 37 minutes Pauleta met a Figo corner perfectly to restore Portugal’s lead.

Costinha impact

The second half brought the inevitable series of substitutions, and the entrance of Costinha brought about an improvement in Portugal’s midfield.

On the hour mark Portugal scored the most spectacular goal of the afternoon. Petit picked up the ball outside the area, worked himself some space and fired an unstoppable shot low into the corner of the net.

Pauleta completed his hatrick on 81 minutes when he expertly converted a free kick on the edge of the area.

Pauleta: "Scoring in World Cup more important"

Portugal:
Ricardo, Miguel, Fernando Meira, Ricardo Carvalho, Caneira (Paulo Ferreira, 46), Petit (Tiago, 65), Maniche (Costinha, 46), Deco (Hugo Viana, 46), Figo (Simao, 46), Cristiano Ronaldo (Helder Postiga, 62), Pauleta
Yellow Card: Cristiano Ronaldo, 58

Cape Verde:
Ernesto (Veiga, 86), Janicio, Nelson Veiga, Piguita, Nando, Sandro, Moreno (Nene, 52), Emerson (Marco, 85), Lito (Hernani, 80), Calo (Rodolfo Lima, 61), Cafu (Dady, 72)

Goals:
[1-0] Pauleta, 1
[1-1] Meira, 21 (o.g.)
[2-1] Pauleta, 38
[3-1] Petit, 60
[4-1] Pauleta, 83