LISBON -- Portugal beat a weak Cyprus side
6-0 at home on Wednesday to move up into second place in World
Cup European qualifying group two and dramatically improve their
goal difference.
Portugal now have 15 points from seven games, behind group
leaders Ireland, who lead with 18 points from eight games, and
ahead of the Netherlands in third place on 14.
An embarrassing mistake by Cypriot Goalkeeper Michael
Morphis gave Portugal their first goal in the 36th minute when
he fumbled with the ball and let it slip between his legs into
the net after a weak shot from the edge of the area by Pedro
Pauleta, who spearheaded Portugal's strike force.
Midfielder Pedro Barbosa bagged Portugal's second in the
55th when he converted a pass from team mate Nuno Capucho and
shot the ball home from 25 metres and past Morphis into the top
right-hand corner of the net.
Barbosa scored again four minutes later when Morphis failed
to grab a high ball under pressure from Portuguese striker Joao
Pinto and the midfielder blasted the rebound home from just
outside the box.
Pauleta made it 4-0 when he nipped inside the box in the
71st to hit a right cross from Capucho inside the left post.
Then Pinto put Portugal five goals ahead after 76 minutes with a
header from another long cross by Capucho.
Pinto bagged his second and completed the rout with a diving
header five minutes later by connecting a pass from inside the
area by Pauleta.
Ireland beat Estonia 2-0 to extend group two lead
TALLINN -- Ireland extended their lead at
the top of World Cup qualifying group two on Wednesday with a
2-0 victory over Estonia.
Estonia, who came within 15 minutes of an upset win over the
Netherlands on Saturday before going down 4-2, were behind after
just eight minutes when Richard Dunne stuck his leg out to guide
the ball home from point-blank range.
A well-taken strike from 20 metres by Matt Holland, standing
in for suspended skipper and midfielder Roy Keane, made it 2-0
shortly before the break.
The victory leaves the Irish top with 18 points from eight
games followed by the Dutch with 14 points and a game in hand.
Third-placed Portugal, on 12 points after six games, stood to go
second after their home match against Cyprus later in the day.
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