Portugal send North Korea packing with 7-0 win
By Mark Hallam, Michael Lawton
North Korea have been eliminated from the World Cup, after Portugal overwhelmed them in Monday's Group G match, winning 7-0. Yet the result doesn't quite guarantee Portuguese qualification from the "Group of Death".
Portugal's host of stars proved too much for North Korea to handle, as they demolished the team 7-0.
The match was a hard-fought affair in the first half, with the North displaying the same organized defense that kept Brazil at bay for much of their opening match. Portugal went in at the break with a slim one goal lead, courtesy of Raul Meireles. If anything, the goal came somewhat against the run of play.
However, the floodgates opened in the second half; after goals from Simao and Werder Bremen's Hugo Almeida within three minutes broke the North Korean team.
Tiago grabbed a brace, substitute Liedson scored, and Portugal's superstar Christiano Ronaldo also opened his World Cup scoring account as the team went on to record the biggest win of the tournament so far.
Pyongyang announced before the match that it would televise the game live, in what was believed to be a first for the country. However, fans would have been better served watching their team's gallant effort against Brazil in the first match instead.
Group all but sewn up
The defeat eliminates North Korea definitively from the so-called "Group of Death" – while leaders Brazil, who beat Sven Goran Eriksson's Ivory Coast team 3-1 on Sunday, are guaranteed a spot in the last sixteen.
Portugal is not officially through to the second round, although the team has a vastly superior goal difference and a three point advantage over the Ivory Coast, meaning Ronaldo and co are virtually assured to progress.
In Monday's later matches, Chile play Switzerland and Spain face off against Honduras.
Deutsche Welle
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