Nervous Portugal squeeze home

FIFA - After Brazil kicked off the tournament with a veritable exhibition of flowing football, Portugal were also looking to impress against Iran in the opening match in Group B, but it was not to be. Yes, they got the win they needed, but their Iranian opponents certainly proved they are no longer here just to make up the numbers.

Alan tested Iranian keeper Hamed Ghorbanpour as early as the opening minute, and a mere two minutes later he was on the score-sheet. Iran were far from daunted, however, and produced a spectacular equaliser, with Ali Naderi sending a free-kick into the top corner. 1-1 at the end of the first period was hardly the start that the European champions had been expecting.

At the restart, Portugal picked up where they had left off with another goal from Alan two minutes in, but once again, Jose Mateus' men could not hold on to the lead. Rodrigues' aerial challenge was a tad too physical, and Moslem Mesigar coolly slotted home the resultant penalty. Fortunately for Portugal, that man Alan was on hand to score his, and the team's third, but still Marco Octavio's team would not lie down and accept defeat, and Faroogh Dara's equaliser showed just how far Iran have come in the space of 12 months, to the delight of the Brazilian crowd who were rooting for the underdog.

Neither team could take advantage of the three minutes of extra time, and it was up to Belchior to give the European champions the two points for the win on penalties.
 

Alan, Portugal player
We knew that this wouldn't be an easy match. Iran are one of the teams who have come on the most in recent years. They've been training together for over a month down here and they've learnt a lot. As far as we're concerned, we played a decent match but our finishing left a lot to be desired."

Jose Mateus, Portugal coach
We were expecting this kind of game against a team that has improved a lot in the last few years. The gap between the traditional big teams and the others has vanished. We wanted the victory and that's what we got, even if it only came after penalties. This kind of things happens often in the first game in a big tournament. We will bounce back and play better.

Hamed Ghorbanpour, Iran goalkeeper
It was a great game. We matched Portugal right from the off. We played really well and we might even have won it.

Marco Octavio, Iran coach
I'm pleased with this performance. We showed that we are a match for any opponent, the proof being that we've just played a very even game with the European champions. I've been with the team since June and I've been trying to give them a winning mentality. We shouldn't be afraid to dream!"

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