words_Nick Engvall

After opening the tournament with an uncharacteristically scoreless draw with the Ivory Coast, Portugal put on one of the most dominate displays of the 2010 World Cup today against North Korea.

Through nearly the first thirty minutes of the match, it looked as if Portugal was on the path to another scoreless tie,with North Korea playing well enough to get a few decent shot attempts early in the match. However, that changed quickly.

It was Raul Meireles scored the first goal of the tournament for Portugal which unleashed the flood gates. Ironically the rain that had drenched the surface during the first part of the game seemed to let up slightly as Portugal went on to score six more goals in the second half. Including two from Tiago, and one each from Simao Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida, and Liedson. Even superstar Christiano Ranoldo came out of his goal scoring slump, scoring his first of the tournament with about three minutes to go in the match.

With a scoring outburst like this, Portugal should not only find their way into the next round, but could easily find themselves with an opportunity to win it all in the coming weeks.

Ricardo Carvalho and Tiago of Portugal wearing the adidas adiPure III,Young-Hak of North Korea in the adidas Predator X.

Liedson adidas F50 adiZero and Christiano Ronaldo in the Nike Superfly.

Eduardo of Portugal  in the PUMA Power Cat 1.10 FG.

Simao of Portugal controls the ball in the adidas Predator X.

Hong Yong-Jo of North Korea wearing the Chameleon colorway of the adidas F50 adiZero.

Christiano Ronaldo of Portugal controls the ball in the rain wearing the Nike Superfly.

Hugo Almeida of Portugal celebrates his goal in the adidas F50 adiZero.