- REUTERS
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Iran during their Group D World Cup match in Frankfurt yesterday. Portugal won 2-0.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP):

PORTUGAL WAITED 40 years to once again get beyond the first round of the World Cup.

Deco scored with a powerful first-time shot from outside the penalty area in the 63rd minute and Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty kick in the 80th to give the Portuguese team a 2-0 win over Iran yesterday.

That guaranteed advancement for Portugal, who last got so far in 1966 behind the great Eusebio.

Portugal have six points in Group D; they beat Angola 1-0 in their opening match.

"This is a historic moment for Portugal, the first time in 40 years it has come so far. We're elated," Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. "We played better than against Angola. We showed some of our skill today."

Portugal will next face Mexico, with a draw enough to take first place in the group.

"We still want to beat Mexico to ensure first place in the group," Scolari said.

FAILED TO SPARKLE

Just as against Angola, the Portuguese failed to find their usual sparkle and allowed their opponents back into the match after a bright start.

Then came the two second-half goals, both set up by Luis Figo breaks down the left.

Pauleta almost stretched Portugal's winning margin in the final minute of regular time when he went face-to-face with Mirzapour but the goalkeeper stretched out his right leg and knocked the ball wide.

Scolari made three midfield changes after his team failed to impress against Angola. Francisco Costinha, Maniche and Deco came in for Armando Petit, Tiago and Simao Sabrosa.

Ronaldo was also included, even though he skipped two training sessions last week due to muscle fatigue.

Iran fielded an offensive team in pursuit of their first win in Germany, though they left top striker Ali Daei out of the team.

"In the first half we created innumerable goalscoring chances but it never happened," Figo said. "We lost our way a bit in the second half, but after we broke through it was easier."

But the Portuguese weren't perfect as Iran successfully closed down playmakers Deco and Figo for long periods.