Group D Finale Results
By Camilla Mancini
Portugal vs. Mexico: “A hard beginning maketh a good ending” - John Heywood
Portugal most agree with Heywood given that it advanced to the second round for the first time since 1966 and did it with style, having claimed the 3 points in all its matches. This result placed the Portuguese team at the top of Group D. Although Mexico was defeated by Portugal, the Mexican team got the chance to pass to the Round of 8 of the tournament. That chance was given by the Angolans, since they tied the score in their match with Iran.
The match took part on the Gelsenkirchen Stadium on Wednesday, June 21st 2006. The final score, 2-1 gave the last push to Portugal and sent it to face the second-placed team from the Group C: Netherlands. On the other hand, Mexico went through a very hard time. 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 on a red card, which means he will miss the Round of 16 matches through suspension.
Angola vs. Iran:
The odds were always stacked against Angola reaching the Round of 16 going into this match, but when they took the lead through Flavio heading home Ze Kalanga’s cross on the hour mark their hopes were suddenly raised. Nevertheless, their hopes of catching Mexico on goal difference ended when Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh’s equalizer effectively ended their dreams. In a spirited exhibit from both sides, a draw was probably the fair result, although Angola will be frustrated that they could not convert more of their opportunities. Angola’s first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup finals left them in third place behind Portugal and Mexico with two points, while Iran propped up the table with this, their solitary point of the tournament.
