Almeida scores twice as Portugal beats Mozambique 3-0 in World Cup warmup
By Barry Hatton
JOHANNESBURG — Hugo Almeida scored twice Tuesday to lead Portugal to a 3-0 win over Mozambique in a World Cup warmup match.
After failing to convert their dominance into goals in the first half against a team ranked 85th in the world, the Portuguese scored three in 30 minutes after the break.
Danny received a pass from Deco, sidestepped the goalkpeeper and tapped in the ball in the 51st minute. He then crossed from the left to set up Almeida's short-range strike.
Goalkeeper Lama couldn't hold a fierce shot from substitute Cristiano Ronaldo in the 82nd and Almeida tapped in the rebound.
Mozambique was the last of three African teams the Portuguese played in recent weeks before opening Group G play against Ivory Coast on June 15. Portugal also meets Brazil and North Korea at the World Cup.
Portugal beat 10-man Cameroon 3-1 but then drew 0-0 with Cape Verde, raising questions about its prowess in front of goal.
Ronaldo was left out of the starting lineup. And without his aggressive running and dribbling and with playmaker Deco short of ideas, Portugal couldn't get traction going forward in the first half.
Portugal's best early spell came midway through the first half when the world's third-ranked team began to find its rhythm, though it still couldn't find the net.
Simao Sabrosa pounced on a defensive blunder and shot toward goal, but Lama stretched to tip the ball wide. Danny then miscued a header at the back post, and soon after Simao sliced a shot from a well-timed cross by Deco.
Liedson also missed a good chance, heading weakly when he was unmarked inside the area.
Portugal's defence occasionally looked fragile on its right flank, where Miguel was playing in place of Paulo Ferreira.
Mozambique grew in stature and five minutes before the interval Fumo struck a thundering shot against the post.
Mozambique is a former Portuguese colony and Portugal's greatest ever player is the Mozambique-born Eusebio, who starred at the 1966 World Cup in England.
Nani (left) of Portugal sits on the bench during their friendly match against Mozambique at Wanderers Stadium on June 8, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
