Two goals from Omar Bravo gave Mexico a winning start to their World Cup campaign as Ricardo Lavolpe's team overcame Iran 3-1 at Nuremberg's Frankenstadion.
Bravo gave his side the lead 28 minutes into the game with a close-range effort before Yahya Golmohammadi levelled for the Iranians eight minutes later.
But Bravo restored his team's advantage 14 minutes from time after the Iranian defence hit the self-destruct button, and three minutes later Brazil-born midfielder Zinha sealed the win for Mexico with a well-placed header.
Mexico's two goals in a little over two minutes killed off an Iran team who had been in the ascendancy early in the game but sat back as the match went on, offering little threat in the second period.
drunken_master
Pauleta said Portugal would have to improve after struggling to kill off Angola's challenge before winning their Group D opener 1-0 on Sunday.
Pauleta netted after Luis Figo cut through the Africans' defence in the fourth minute but the expected avalanche of goals for the 2004 European Championship finalists never materialised.
'It was the first match of the tournament (for us), which is always difficult. The important thing is that we got the three points against an Angola team that really played well,' said Pauleta.
'We have to improve, that's clear.'
Man of the Match Figo agreed, telling reporters: 'We could have played a little better but we're satisfied with the result.
'Our plan was to get three points so 1-0 was as good as 5-0. If we win the next match against the team that lost in our group (Iran), they're out and we're through.'
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who guided Brazil to victory at the last World Cup in 2002, was content too.
'A victory even if it's by the narrowest of margins is excellent,' he said. 'We have three points in the bag. The game was complicated as expected.'
The Africans take on group leaders Mexico, listed fourth in the world rankings, in Hanover on Friday.
Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves said: 'We played a great team in Portugal with a history of many World Cups but Angola will keep doing what we do, keep playing with great spirit and I'm sure we can make life difficult for Mexico in our next game.
drunken_master
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be fit to play in Portugal's Group D clash against Iran on Saturday despite failing to complete training on Wednesday.
The Manchester United winger returned to the team hotel after the warm-up, fuelling speculation he suffered a hamstring injury during Portugal's World Cup opener against Angola.
However, team officials insisted Ronaldo is not injured and instead blamed his early exit from the session on the 21-year-old feeling "a little bit tired".
Meanwhile, Barcelona midfielder Deco returned to full training on Wednesday after recovering from the foot injury that prevented him playing in the 1-0 win against Angola.
drunken_master
Portugal became the sixth team assured a place in the Round of 16 at Germany 2006 after second-half goals from Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo secured a 2-0 win against Iran on Saturday.
While Portugal were celebrating a second straight win in Group D - and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's ninth in succession overall in FIFA World Cups™ - Iran were left to reflect on what went wrong after their second defeat confirmed their elimination.
After a goalless first half in Frankfurt, Deco broke the deadlock with a long-distance strike in the 63rd minute and Ronaldo sealed the victory from the penalty spot with ten minutes remaining.
Despite battling bravely all the way and showing much to be proud of, Iran's hopes are crushed with one group game still to go.
Portugal, while sure of a spot in the Round of 16, are not yet guaranteed first place in the group with a tough final test against second-placed Mexico still to come.
Only pride will be at stake for Iran in their final match against Angola.
drunken_master
A brave performance from ten-man Angola saw them hold Mexico to a goalless draw in their Group D meeting in Hanover on Friday, 16 June 2006.
Angola, who lie 53 places below El Tri in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, frustrated the Mexicans due to a combination of some resolute defending and some superb goalkeeping from Joao Ricardo.
The Palancas Negras' task was made even harder when they had Andre sent off in the 79th minute, but the African side held firm to register their first ever point in the FIFA World Cup™ finals.
Angola collected their first ever FIFA World Cup point with a courageous display and still have a chance of making the second round.
Despite creating few clear chances, Mexico, on four points, are nevertheless well positioned to qualify with the fixture against Portugal still to play.
drunken_master
Iran ended Angola's slim hopes of qualifying from Group D, as they held the African side to a 1-1 draw in Leipzig on Wednesday.
Angola scored their first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup™ finals when Flavio headed home Ze Kalanga's cross on the hour mark.
However, their hopes of catching Mexico on goal difference were ended when Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh rose unmarked to convert Mehdi Mahdavikia's corner 15 minutes from time.
The result left Angola in third place behind Portugal and Mexico with two points, while Iran propped up the table with this their solitary point of the tournament.
drunken_master
Portugal made it three wins out of three in Group D as they defeated Mexico 2-1 in Gelsenkirchen through goals from Maniche and Simao Sabrosa on Wednesday.
While Portugal advanced as group winners to face the second-placed team in Group C - either Argentina or the Netherlands - in a Round of 16 tie in Nuremberg on Sunday, Mexico joined them there after finishing second with four points. El Tri will take on the Group C winners on Saturday in Leipzig.
The Mexicans trailed 2-0 inside 24 minutes in Gelsenkirchen after Maniche shot Portugal into a sixth-minute lead and Simao Sabrosa doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.
Jose Fonseca made it 2-1 in the 29th minute but Omar Bravo's missed spot-kick in the second half ensured a defeat for Ricardo La Volpe's team.
Mexico also suffered the loss of Luis Perez to a red card, which means he will miss the Round of 16 match through suspension.
