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Cristiano Ronaldo, finally broke his two-year (over 1,300 game minutes) international goal scoring drought from open play (i.e. not penalties) Monday by tallying the sixth of Portugal's seven goals against a helpless North Korea side. Ronaldo played well but you could tell he really wouldn't be satisfied until it was his turn to put the ball in the net. In fact, he looked downright confused when Liedson came off the bench to immediately rip one past the keeper while Ronaldo waited for a centering pass in the middle.
Portugal have long been capable of rhythmical, energetic, instinctive football like this. Since the Euro '96 tournament came to England, they have been producing some of Europe's most gifted player.
Too often, though, they have been let down by their capricious nature, by defensive frailty and by personality clashes. These problems may yet return later in the tournament to trouble a team who struggled to make it to South Africa at all.
Yesterday, though, Cape Town found them at their very best, and thank goodness for that. It was a World Cup afternoon to remember for all the right reasons.
This is a great day for Portuguese football,' said Queiroz afterwards. 'My players played beautiful football and scored beautiful goals. It is only three points but it was truly a great performance. 'To keep it going, we need to play in a competitive way and be serious. We must have the same spirit. We have to fight for each pass, for each goal, and win each duel.
'We must play with freedom and with courage and with our own unique style. Without that attitude it's not possible to win anything.
