7 October 2006, by Tom Kundert

Red-hot Ronaldo annihilates Azerbaijan

Portugal 3-0 Azerbaijan

Cristiano Ronaldo took his scintillating club form onto the international arena in Porto tonight, playing a starring role in Portugal’s straight-forward 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan.

The Manchester United winger terrorised the Azeri defence throughout the time he was on the pitch. He scored twice, helped set up the other and also had a spectacular ‘goal’ invalidated because a linesman failed to see his overhead kick crash well behind the goal-line off the crossbar before spinning back into play.

Luiz Filipe Scolari welcomed back Maniche and Miguel as Portugal sent out an almost full-strength side, with the familiar ex-Porto midfield trio of Maniche-Costinha-Deco at the hub of the team.

Match reaction: "The team was good, but not marvellous" - Scolari

After an uninspiring opening fifteen minutes, Portugal began to put their foot on the accelerator and Deco almost scored a rare header from a Miguel cross after a flowing move.

Cristiano Ronaldo was seeing plenty of the ball, and together with Deco the star duo began to make their class tell. On 24 minutes the Barcelona midfielder ran across the box and picked out the unmarked Ronaldo, who had little trouble in knocking the ball past goalkeeper Valiyev to give Portugal the lead.

Ronaldo magic

Two minutes later the same two players combined again. Deco produced a masterful knock-back with his shoulder, which Ronaldo latched on to and acrobatically sent the ball crashing onto the underside of the bar and a good half-metre into the net before it bounced back into open play. Incredibly, neither the linesman nor referee saw the incident properly and play was waved on.

Undeterred, when Portugal were awarded a free-kick twenty metres from goal shortly afterwards, Ronaldo immediately seized the ball. A trademark swerving free-kick was too hot for the keeper to handle and Ricardo Carvalho gleefully knocked the rebound into the net.

Portugal began to turn on the style, with Deco, Miguel and the inevitable Ronaldo particularly enjoying themselves as they constantly cut open the Azeri defence. Nuno Gomes missed badly when set up on the edge of the box, and Ronaldo forced two sharp saves out of Valiyev as the home side threatened to run riot.

Scolari replaced Valente, who had picked up a yellow card, with Marco Caneira at the break, and the second half saw Azerbaijan manage to contain Portugal better and construct some tentative attacks of their own.

Simao comes good

But it came as no surprise when Portugal scored their third goal on 63 minutes. Simao, who improved as the match went on, swung over an inviting cross that a diving Ronaldo headed into the net.

Nuno Gomes then contrived to miss a glaring chance when he sent a free header in front of goal wide, and Deco almost got a well-deserved goal with a wicked free-kick that was well saved.

Ricardo was finally called into action in injury time when he pushed a powerful Ismayilov shot away for a corner.

A satisfactory night for Portugal who move up to third place in Group A, three points behind leaders Serbia with a game in hand. A much sterner test awaits on Wednesday as Scolari’s men travel to Poland.

PortuGOAL man of the match:
Cristiano Ronaldo – The young winger in full flight is a majestic sight. Portugal fans were tonight treated to another mesmerising display by the Manchester United man.

Portugal:
Ricardo, Miguel, Carvalho, Ricardo Rocha, Valente (Caneira, 46), Costinha, Maniche (Tiago 64), Deco, Ronaldo (Nani, 72), Nuno Gomes, Simao
Yellow Cards: Nuno Valente (22), Ricardo Rocha (53)

Azerbaijan:
Veliyev, Gashimov, Kerimov, Sokolov, Pereira, Imamaliev, Chertoganov, Sultanov (Ismaylov, 64), Ladaga, Muzika (Gurbanov, 66), Leandro Gomes (Dzavadov, 75)
Yellow Cards: Sultanov (15), Sokolov (29), Pereira (43)

Goals:
[1-0] Ronaldo, 25
[2-0] Carvalho, 30
[3-0] Ronaldo, 63