PFDC - FRANKFURT, A beautiful Deco goal and a Ronaldo penalty sealed Portugal's 2-0 win and Iran's World Cup exit in a group D match on Saturday. Iran now will need to defeat Angola on Wednesday in order to avoid a total failure in Germany 2006.

Portugal's Scolari was able to field his strongest team with Deco returning from injury, while Branko Ivankovic made one change to the team compared to the bitter loss to Mexico and replaced Ali Daei by Mehrzad Madanchi. The Persepolis winger took the leftwing position while Vahid Hashemian occupied the sole striking spot, however, the Hannover 96 forward, despite going long ways, showed a similarily weak performance as Daei had six days ago.

Unlike against Mexico, Iran this time wasn't an equal opponent in first half, rather Branko Ivankovic's men started like they had played in second interval against Mexico and solely focused on defending. Upfront, a header over the bar by the good Javad Nekounam, who picked up his second booking of the tourney during the match and will be suspended for Iran's last encounter, and Ricardo clearing a Mehdi Mahdavikia freekick shortly ahead of Hashemian remained Iran's only dangerous opportunities before the break.

On the other side, the very strong Portugese created a handful of very good chances, however, failed to get the ball past the today outstanding goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour.

The convincing rightback Hossein Kaabi was very fortunate not to be sent off for a Kung Fu kick against Luis Figo, however, also Deco was lucky when he was only booked for a similar scene against Nosrati in second half.

Iran, around the unfortunately still not fully fit and therefore weak Ali Karimi, also remained passive after the break, although coming into play better during the second period. It was once again Mirzapour who saved the tie by excellently deniying a Ronaldo effort in minute 55.

However, a wonderful shot from the edge of the box by Barcelona playmaker Deco, who had been perfectly set up by Figo, finally broke the deadlock after 63 minutes. Nekounam had failed to mark the midfielder, who's perfectly struck shot beat Mirzapour.

Ivankovic reacted, brought playmaker Fereydoon Zandi and striker Rassoul Khatibi for Karimi and Madanchi and almost immediately saw Khatibi equalize. Fernando Meira had overseen the Sepahan striker behind him and let through a long ball by Yahya Golmohammadi, Khatibi suddenly finding himself all alone in front of goal, but the pacey striker hesitated and then shot the ball inches past the far post from tight angle (69').

Only minutes later Vahid Hashemian was close to equalize after a good combination over the well performing Mehdi Mahdavikia and Zandi, but Hashemian's header was not powerful enough to beat Ricardo.

The goal finally occured on the other side, when Golmohammadi's challenge against Figo came too late inside the area and Christiano Ronaldo converted from the spot (80').

In the final minutes of the game, Mirzapour again showed another great save against Pauleta.

Iran will now need a win against Angola in Leipzig on Wednesday to avoid finishing in last position.

Iran - Portugal 0-2 (0-0)

World Cup Group D match, Frankfurt

Attendance: 48.000

Lineups:

Iran: Iran: 1 Mirzapour - 13 Kaebi, 4 Golmohammadi (88'/3 Bakthirarizadeh), 5 Rezaei, 20 Nosrati - 14 Teymourian, 6 Nekounam - 2 Mahdavikia, 8 Karimi (65'/7 Zandi), 21 Madanchi (66'/11 Khatibi) - 9 Hashemian

Portugal: 1 Ricardo - 13 Miguel, 16 Ricardo Carvalho, 5 Fernando Meira, 14 Nuno Valente - 6 Costinha, 18 Maniche (67'/8 Petit) - 7 Figo (88'/11 Simao), 20 Deco (80'/19 Tiago), 17 Cristiano Ronaldo - 9 Pauleta

Bookings: Nekounam, Madanchi, Kaebi, Golmohammadi - Pauleta, Deco, Costinha