Portugal 2
Iran 0

A stunning strike from Deco and a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty gave Portugal a 2-0 triumph over Iran yesterday, sealing their place in the World Cup second round.

In an often tetchy and generally drab Group D encounter, Iran held Portugal at bay for 63 minutes.

Playmaker Deco, back in the side after injury, broke the deadlock by thumping in a sweet right-foot shot following a left-wing cross from captain Luis Figo.

Iran, eliminated after suffering their second successive defeat, went close to an equaliser four minutes later when substitute Rasoul Khatibi shaved the woodwork.

Portugal had much more of the possession but Iran's defence did well to keep lone striker Pauleta quiet.

Ronaldo made sure of victory with 10 minutes to go, clipping his spot kick high into the net after Figo was sent flying by a tackle from skipper Yahya Golmoham-madi.

After converting his penalty, winger Ronaldo fell to his knees and screamed with joy.

Portugal, who made three changes to the side which struggled past Angola 1-0, had wasted several good chances in the first half.

Deco pounced on a Figo cross to force a fine save from keeper Ebra-him Mirzapour in the 13th minute.

Portugal then cranked up the pressure towards the interval, with Ronaldo's powerful left-foot strike striking the side-netting.

Miguel also pushed forward, stretching Mirzapour again as the ball almost squeezed under his body.

Iran had an opportunity of their own when a header from Vahid Hashemian forced Portuguese keeper Ricardo into a smart stop.

'We imposed our quality'

- Luiz Felipe Scolari

Portugal reached the second round for the first time in 40 years after a quality display, said coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

"We respected Iran but we imposed our quality," said Scolari.

It was the first time they had got through the first round since 1966 when inspired by Eusebio they reached the semi-finals before losing 2-1 to eventual winners England.

"I thought Portugal played better than they have done in the last seven or eight games," added Scolari.

"We played a very good game but, unfortunately, it was hard to make something happen on the field against a good Portugal team," said Iran coach Branko Ivankovic.

"It was an evenly balanced match but Deco scored a quality goal and after that it was very hard for us."

Portugal: 1-Ricardo; 13-Miguel, 16-Carvalho, 5-Meira, 14- Valente; 20-Deco (19-Tiago 81), 6-Costinha, 18-Maniche (8-Petit 67), Figo (11-Simao 88), 17-Ronaldo; 9-Pauleta.

Iran: 1-Mirzapour; 13-Kaebi, 5-Rezaei, 4-Golmohammadi (3-Bakh-tiarizadeh 89), 20-Nosrati; 2-Mahda-vikia, 6-Nekonam, 8-Karimi (7-Zandi 65), 14-Taymoorian; 21-Madanchi (11-Khatibi 66), 9-Hashemian.

Referee: Eric Poulat (France).

Scorers: Deco 63, Ronaldo 80 pen.

Half-time: 0-0.

Att.: 48,000.