Portugal 2 Iran 0: Scolari must keep key players' powder dry
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.After winning their first two Group D games and booking their spot in the knock-out phase, Portugal can relax and give some new faces a run-out in their final game against Mexico on Wednesday. A superb Deco strike and a penalty converted by Cristiano Ronaldo gave Portugal a 2-0 win over Iran in Frankfurt on Saturday.
Luiz Felipe Scolari can now tweak his side to take into account fitness and the disciplinary situation. "We have already qualified so we can look at yellow cards, injuries and other details and we will be able to rest some players," Scolari said.
Costinha, Deco and Pauleta picked up bookings in Saturday's game, while Ronaldo and Nuno Valente both have a caution from the Angola match.
Portugal face formidable opponents in the next round. But Scolari and his players found it difficult to choose between the favourites, Argentina, who put six past Serbia & Montenegro on Friday, or the in-form Netherlands. Those two meet on Wednesday.
"The Netherlands and Argentina are two big teams so it is impossible to judge," the goalkeeper Ricardo said. "In 90 minutes one of those teams can have an off day and can be eliminated, so there's no point in choosing who we would prefer at this stage," Scolari said.
But the midfielder Tiago insisted Portugal were still determined totop the group so the game against Mexico in Gelsenkirchen would be no damp squib. "We will be more relaxed, but we do want to keep first place. Mexico are a good team and need the points, so it will be a good match," he said.
Portugal: Ricardo (Sporting); Miguel (Valencia), Meira (Stuttgart), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Nuno Valente (Everton), Costinha (Dinamo Moscow), Maniche (Chelsea), Deco (Barcelona), Ronaldo (Manchester United), Pauleta (Paris St-Germain), Figo (Internazionale).
Substitutes used: Petit (Benfica) for Maniche, 66; Tiago (Lyon) for Deco, 80; Simao (Benfica) for Figo, 88.
Iran: Mirzapour (Foolad); Kaabi (Foolad), Golmohammadi (Saba Battery), Rezaei (Messina), Nosrati (Pas Tehran) Nekounam (Al Wahda), Mahdavikia (Hamburg) Karimi (Bayern Munich), Teymourian (A Moslem), Madanchi (Persepolis), Hashemian (Hanover 96).
Substitutes used: Bakhtiarizadeh (Saba Battery) for Golmohammadi, 88; Zandi (Kaiserslautern) for Karimi, 65; Khatibi (Pas Tehran) for Madanchi, 66.
Booked: Portugal Pauleta, Deco, Costinha; Iran Nekounam, Madanchi, Kaabi, Golmohammadi.
Referee: Eric Poulat (France).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments