Cristiano Ronaldo broke Sweden’s resistance late in the game to give
Portugal the advantage in their World Cup play-off tie in Lisbon.
The Real Madrid forward got the decisive goal when he stooped low to
head in Miguel Veloso’s superb cross.
Up until then they were frustrated by a disciplined Sweden side, who
went close through Johan Elmander, Sebastian Larsson and Kim
Kallstrom.
That promises to be another fascinating contest between two sides,
with the impetus now on Sweden to attack, having set their stall out
to defend for long periods during the first leg.
They did, however, create the better chances in the opening 45 minutes
despite Portugal enjoying 67% of the possession.
With Paris St-Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic given special
attention by Portugal’s defence, his attack-minded team-mates found
themselves with more space than they should have been afforded.
Norwich’s on-loan forward Elmander was first to cause nerves in the
home support when he stretched to send Mikael Lustig’s right-wing
cross inches past the post.
Erik Hamren’s men then created two great chances in the space of two
minutes. Sunderland’s Larsson surged forward from midfield to strike a
low shot that Rui Patricio dived to his left to divert, before
Kallstrom, winning his 107th cap, smashed an 18-yard free-kick that
brushed Portugal’s upright.
The home side’s best chance of the half came in the first five minutes
when Ronaldo and Raul Meireles combined before feeding Joao Moutinho,
who drifted round keeper Andreas Isaksson before firing into the
side-netting.
Portugal’s frustrations continued after the break as Sweden sat
deeper, while their coach Paulo Bento probably would have been left
exasperated by some of the awful attempted deliveries into the area.
But with eight minutes left one cross led to something greater when
Dynamo Kiev’s Veloso’s fantastic delivery found Ronaldo, who threw
himself at the ball to give Portugal the lead.
Moments later, the Real Madrid marksman almost scored his 30th of the
season, but saw his header bounce back off the crossbar.
Sweden offered little as an attacking threat after the break, with
Ibrahimovic failing to trouble Patricio and his defence. The skipper
will have to show the sort of form he has produced for Paris
St-Germain this season on Tuesday if Sweden are to stand a chance of
going to Brazil.
“We would have been very happy with a draw,” Sweden coach Erik Hamren said.
“We played a good game defensively – the goal was unnecessary, we were
careless with that cross.”
Bento added: “We created a great early chance and Sweden hit back. But
in the second half it was one way for us.
“It was an important step to reach the World Cup but not yet
decisive.” – BBC Sport
