Angola 0
Portugal 1

Portugal secured a 1-0 win over Angola yesterday as the African World Cup debutants overcame a nervous start to hold their own against their former colonial masters.

Pauleta almost scored after 12 seconds and did so after four minutes as the Euro 2004 runners-up threatened to run away with their opening Group D clash in a one-sided first 20 minutes.

But Angola overcame their jitters, created a few chances of their own and walked off the pitch with their heads held high at the end of an emotional encounter.

Angola gained a bloody independence from their opponents in 1975 after 400 years of colonial rule but relations between the two countries have thawed since and eight of the Angola squad play their club football in Portugal.

The European side, unbeaten winners of a tough World Cup qualifying group, warmed to their task immediately as Pauleta skidded a shot just wide when they broke straight from kickoff.

He did not have to wait long to find the net though as three minutes later Luis Figo collected the ball in acres of midfield space, easily skipped past Kali and pulled the ball back for the striker to tuck in his 47th goal in his 83rd international.

The Angolans looked in disarray as Pauleta ran free on to another long ball before hooking over the bar but they eventually settled and enjoyed a flurry of half-chances.

Andre forced Portugal keeper Ricardo to touch out a fierce long strike and captain Akwa was off beam with two attempted overhead kicks.

Ronaldo cracked a 35th minute header against the bar from a Figo corner and then had a stinging shot beaten out by Angola keeper Joao Ricardo.

However, Portugal's inability to find a second goal left captain Figo's displeasure obvious in his animated discussions with his team-mates at the end of the first period.

The only action of note in the second half came in stoppage time when a fierce Maniche drive was tipped over by the Angola keeper.

In their two previous meetings Portugal had triumphed 6-0 and 5-1 but as the second half progressed with little threat to the Angolan goal they were forced to settle for a far slimmer, but far more important victory.

Portugal next face Iran while Angola take on Mexico, who beat the Asian side 3-1 earlier yesterday to set the Group D pace.

Aftermatch comments - 'Portugal must do better' - Pauleta

Speaking to the media after the match, Pauleta said Portugal would have to improve after struggling to kill off Angola's challenge.

"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," Pauleta told German TV.

"We have to improve, that's clear."

Figo agreed, saying: "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."

He added: "Angola came at us with more spirit in the second half and put us under pressure with their speed.

"But we could have scored more too. It was a real battle right to the end."

Angola: 1-Ricardo; 20-Loco, 3-Jamba, 5-Kali, 21-Delgado; 17-Ze Kalanga (13-Edson 70), 8-Macanga, 7-Figueiredo (6-Miloy 80), 14-Mendonca; 10-Akwa (9-Mantorras 60), 11-Mateus.

Portugal: 1-Ricardo; 13-Miguel, 5-Meira, 16-Carvalho, 14-Valente; 7-Figo, 8-Petit (18-Maniche 72), 19-Tiago (10-Viana 83); 17-Ronaldo (6-Costinha 60), 9-Pauleta, 11-Simao.

Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).

Scorer: Pauleta (4).

Half-time: 0-1. Attendance: 45,000.