PORTUGAL'S MOST FRUSTRATED MAN

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he was left with a feeling of 'unimaginable sadness' following Portugal's elimination from the World Cup.

Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Spain in Cape Town on Tuesday evening, with Ronaldo again struggling to reproduce his magnificent club form at international level.

The Real Madrid star confessed after the match that he was finding it hard to come to terms with the disappointment.

Ronaldo refused to answer questions straight after the final whistle but remarked to television reporters: "How can I explain it (the defeat)? Ask the question of Carlos Queiroz."

He later denied criticising his manager, while he also hit back at suggestions that he had not assumed his responsibilities as the national captain.

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SPAIN 1 - PORTUGAL 0

David Villa's 63rd-minute strike gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal and sent the European champions into the World Cup quarter-finals.

Portugal were the only team left in the competition yet to concede a goal and were frustrating Spain in the much-anticipated second-round showdown between the Iberian neighbours.

But two substitutions just before the hour mark proved decisive, with Portugal losing their way after Hugo Almeida was hauled off for Danny while Spain burst into life after Fernando Llorente replaced a below-par Fernando Torres.

Within a minute, Llorente's point-blank header was saved by Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo while Villa fired wide.

Villa then broke the deadlock as he stabbed the ball past Eduardo at the second attempt for his fourth goal of the World Cup.

Llorente twice went close late on while Danny had a dangerous-looking shot blocked by Pique but moments later Portugal's hopes were over when referee Hector Baldassi gave Costa his marching orders for apparently lashing out at Capdevila.

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PORTUGAL TO ATTACK SPAIN

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has promised to go on the offensive when his side take on Spain for a place in the last eight of the World Cup. 

Queiroz vowed an attractive game when Portugal took on Brazil in the group stages but the game turned out to be a disappointing 0-0 draw. His team have kept 22 clean sheets in their last 26 matches but Queiroz says he will take some more risks in the knockout stages.

Portugal's draw with Brazil was littered with yellow cards, and seven of Queiroz's players are facing a ban if they are booked against Spain.

Portugal have injury worries over striker Danny and Duda, but Deco is expected to return. Meanwhile, Portugal's Simao has talked up his side's chances of upsetting the European champions, claiming they're "not scared at all" of Spain.

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BRAZIL 0 - PORTUGAL 0

Brazil and Portugal played out a disappointing goalless stalemate in Group G which ensured both sides progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup.

Brazil, who had already qualified before kick-off, had the better of the early exchanges and Dani Alves blasted just wide of the right post from distance.

On the half hour mark, Nilmar's close range effort from Luis Fabiano's cross was pushed on to the bar by keeper Eduardo, while Fabiano then went close with a header before half-time.

In the second period, Raul Meireles almost broke the deadlock but Brazil keeper Julio Cesar saved his effort, while Eduardo denied Ramires at the death.

The draw means Brazil finish the group as leaders, while Portugal got the point they needed to claim second ahead of the Ivory Coast, who defeated North Korea 3-0.

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PORTUGAL 7 - NORTH KOREA 0

Portugal hit their stride at the World Cup on Monday, thrashing North Korea 7-0 to give themselves an excellent chance of reaching the last 16 while ending the Asian team's hopes.

Portugal took the lead through Raul Meireles in the 29th minute and went on the rampage in the second half with three goals in a seven-minute spree from Simao Sabrosa (53rd), Hugo Almeida (56th) and Tiago (60th).

The score was completed with late strikes from Liedson (81st) and Cristiano Ronaldo in the 87th, his first for Portugal in two years, and Tiago again in the 89th.

Portugal scored five in their remarkable 1966 World Cup quarter-final with North Korea when they came from 3-0 down to win 5-3.

Brazil, already sure of a second round place, lead Group G with six points from Portugal, who have four. Ivory Coast have one and North Korea none with one match each left to play.

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RONALDO BACKS ROONEY

Cristiano Ronaldo has leaped to the defence of former team-mate Wayne Rooney, who has been criticised for his performance in the World Cup so far.

Rooney has played poorly in both of England's games in South Africa, first against USA and then against Algeria. The Manchester United striker has looked lacklustre this summer and after the Algeria game he made a snarling comment to a pitch-side television camera about England fans' booing.

But Ronaldo, who partnered Rooney in attack during his time at Old Trafford, insists the 24-year-old is trying his hardest to fire the Three Lions to success.

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PORTUGAL UNHAPPY WITH RONALDO'S BOOKING

Portugal have called on Fifa to overturn the yellow card issued to Cristiano Ronaldo during their dour 0-0 draw with Ivory Coast.

The Real Madrid star was booked in the 21st minute of the Group G meeting in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday after tangling with Elephants right-back Guy Demel.

Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda penalised both players for their part in the incident, but now Carlos Queiroz's side have launched an appeal.

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IVORY COAST 0 - PORTUGAL 0

Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by the woodwork as Portugal and Ivory Coast had to make do with a point apiece in Port Elizabeth.

Ronaldo, who has not scored an international goal in 16 months, rattled a post with a blistering early strike, but that was as close as his side came to snatching victory on a frustrating afternoon at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Even Didier Drogba's arrival as a second-half substitute, to the delight of a crowd of 37,034, could not separate the sides as each attempted to gain the upper hand in Group G ahead of their respective encounters with Brazil.

Ivory Coast boss Sven-Goran Eriksson was boosted ahead of kick-off when he was able to name captain Drogba among his substitutes just 10 days after he had broken a bone in his arm.

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RONALDO IS PORTUGAL SUPERMAN

 

Carlos Queiroz has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal's very own "Superman" and believes the captain can fire his side to World Cup glory.

 

Ronaldo struggled to convert his fine club form, first with Manchester United and then Real Madrid, onto the international stage during Portugal's uninspiring qualification campaign, as Queiroz's side edged past Bosnia-Herzegovina in a play-off to make the finals. And at his last major tournament, Ronaldo scored just one goal as Portugal exited Euro 2008 at the group stage.

 

But Queiroz believes that this time around, the Real Madrid forward is ready to prove himself on football's biggest stage, and is backing his captain to star in Portugal's World Cup campaign in South Africa.

 

 

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WARM-UP: PORTUGAL 3 - CAMEROON 1

 

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz praised his side's organisation and discipline after overseeing a 3-1 World Cup warm-up win over Cameroon on Tuesday night.

 

Raul Meireles scored twice, either side of a red card for Cameroon's star man Samuel Eto'o, before Pierre Webo's strike put the African nation back in contention, only for Nani to seal the win nine minutes from time in Covilha.

 

Cameroon were a man down for the best part of an hour after Inter Milan striker Eto'o was sent off for a second bookable offence. Meanwhile, Queiroz admitted his team still have to adapt to the 'Jambulari' ball.

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FRIENDLY: PORTUGAL 0 - CAPE VERDE 0

 

Portugal's World Cup preparations began with a shock goalless draw against African minnows Cape Verde. Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Ricardo Carvalho and Deco were among those selected in a strong starting XI by Carlos Queiroz but Portugal were unable to break down Cape Verde's stubborn resistance.

 

 

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RONALDO CAN'T DO MIRACLES

 

Cristiano Ronaldo has called on his Portugal team-mates to be at their best, stating that he alone can not win them the World Cup this summer. The Real Madrid winger and Portugal talisman goes into the tournament in outstanding form after scoring 33 goals in 35 games for his club and with a nation's hopes firmly pinned on him to deliver.

 

Ronaldo is now without doubt his nation's most important player, with inspirational figures such as Luis Figo and Rui Costa retired and the ageing legs of the likes of Simao and Deco not hitting the standards they once were.

 

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QUEROZ NAMES PORTUGAL PROVISIONAL SQUAD

 

Pepe has been included in Portugal's provisional 24-man squad ahead of the World Cup, despite having been sidelined by a knee injury since December. The Real Madrid defender was a stand-out in a scrappy Portuguese qualifying campaign to ensure his place.

 

Coach Carlos Queiroz had previously indicated he had "one or two'' doubts about the fitness of certain players. Portugal reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Germany four years ago, but face a difficult task to get out of their group in South Africa after being draw against Brazil, Ivory Coast and North Korea.

 

Provisional Squad:
Beto (Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Eduardo (Braga), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Ze Castro (Deportivo La Coruna), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Pepe (Real Madrid), Miguel (Valencia), Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Nani (Manchester United), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Liedson (Sporting Lisbon), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg).

 

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UNITED NEED TWO BIG NAMES

 

Wayne Rooney has called on Sir Alex Ferguson to sign two big-name players this summer as Manchester United face up to the prospect of losing the league title.

 

Many feel the failure to make high-profile signings following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez has cost United this season, and Rooney is hoping Ferguson can bring in another top-quality striker for next year.

 

Alongside Didier Drogba, Rooney is currently joint top of the Premier League goal-scoring charts with 26 goals, and he knows that - even if he does get more support in attack next year - he will be expected to deliver a similar total again.

 

 

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RONALDO BELIEVES HE IS WORTH IT

 

Cristiano Ronaldo believes that the £80million Real Madrid paid for him is a "fair price" and he is more than comfortable with being the most expensive player in the world.

Ronaldo will be officially unveiled as the Spanish giants' latest signing. Despite some disquiet about Real's big-spending policy at a time of economic depression when few other clubs can compete, Ronaldo, never short of self-confidence, believes Madrid are justified in paying the fee - and also feels he can live up to the price tag.

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