LiveBlog: Angola-Portugal

Portugal wins its opening match in Group D play. Check out all the play by play below and feel free to leave your thoughts on the game.

Final: Portugal 1-0 Angola

- Goal Pauleta (4 min)

Full time Portugal comes away with a victory after an early goal from Pauleta. It is three points for the favorites, but credit goes to Angola for hanging in there and making a game of it in their World Cup debut.

91:36 Maniche with a bomb that is deflected over the crossbar by Ricardo. Heck of a match for the Angola keeper.

90:50 One last shot of Ronaldo pouting on the bench. Unofficially we have him at 32 pouts for the game.

90:00 3 minutes extra time. My heart is pounding. Come on lads.

88:37 Mateus with a shot on goal for Angola. Crowd is on its feet imploring the underdog. The final two minutes are going to be something.

88:03 Portugal might come away with three points but should they be pleased with the way they played? Hard to say. They have been very inconsistent.

87:15 Angola on the attack. Mantorras is one big boy. Angola just can’t string it together in the final third.

85:03 When you say Palancas Negras with a German accent it sounds really, really funny. Don’t mention the war.

83:52 Just to be clear I meant Figo might not be able to get up from the ground. With Viagra these days the other thing is possible no matter your age.

83:03 Figo spends a lot of time on the ground. At his age he might not be able to get up. Portugal header goes over the bar.

81:35 Portugal sub. Thiago out and Viana in. Thiago has a serious farmer’s tan.

80:46 Angola needs to go balls out this final ten minutes. It does them no good to lose by a goal. Might as well push forward and try to get a point out of this.

79:04 Valente shown a yellow card for Portugal. Figueriedo comes off for Angola. Miloy on as Angola makes its last sub.

78:45 Big round of applause to Angola for keeping this one interesting. They could have been crushed early on but they still could come away with something here if Portugal isn’t careful.

77:03 I commented yesterday that Prince William doesn’t ever sweat. Figo, on the other hand, is always sweating. Might have some kind of disorder. Hell of a player, sweat and all.

75:48 Big Phil pacing on the Portugal sideline. He has one of the great faces in sport. It looks like he is made of plastic. Great coach. Mad love for Big Phil.

74:35 The rest of the World Cup Blog staff are laughing at me as I swear at the tv. Sorry Portugal fans, but I am pulling hard for an Angola goal.

72:45 A shot in the crowd of a dude wearing a condom on his head. This is Germany and there are lots of brothels, but you don’t need to wear protection at the stadium.

71:59 Figo loses a boot and Nike smiles. That will be in the next advert.

71:35 Reports from Angola say that people there are begging their team to score a goal. Petit out and Maniche in for Portugal.

70:03 Angola’s new strategy is to boot and chase.

68:50 Loco with a shot that lives up to his name. Edson in, Ze Kalanga out for Angola. Edson is one of the least likeable players on Angola’s roster. Watch him score.

68:29 I get the feeling Angola is only going to score off a Portugal mistake or a lucky goal. 20 more minutes for a hero to emerge. If a Palancas scores he’ll get $5,000. That goes a long way in Luanda.

65:56 Miguel is having a solid game on the wing for Portugal. Figo starting to show his age some in the midfield. I expect to see a few more subs soon. A lot of tired players out there.

64:35 Would never have guessed that Angola would still be in this one after the dreadful start. Still have hope that we might see a draw. I think the beer is going to my head.

62:40 Portugal crowd trying to lift their team. Both sides look a little winded. I can relate. This liveblogging is draining work.

60:57 Thiago with the shot and he is denied by Ricardo. The Angola keeper is keeping his team in the game. Amazing that he doesn’t play for any club teams. My men’s team could use him.

60:22 Great shot of Ronaldo pouting on the bench. The pouting meter is off the charts.

58:34 Mantorras comes on for Akwa. Mantorras is one of the classiest players on the Angola roster. This is a great move by the Professor. Costinha in for Ronaldo for Portugal. Defensive move from Scolari. Have fun pouting on the bench Ronnie.

57:46 Ricardo with the save on the Pauleta shot. Ricardo is the new Shaka Hislop. If Trini can do it, why not Angola?

56:15 Portugal playing ping pong with one corner kick after another. Hey, Angola has gone 53 minutes without giving up a goal. I feel good about that. We just need to put one in. Come on lads.

55:03 If Angola comes back to get a point I will cut my hair in the “Loco”.

53:45 The game is starting to get bogged down in the middle third of the pitch. Portugal looks content to be up by one. Angola looks like it is having a hard time in the attack.

52:14 Portugal has controlled this game but I would hardly say they have been impressive. What is impressive is the bandage over Andre’s eye for Angola. Looks like it is holding his head together.

50:58 Angola started to put the cleats in against Portugal. When in doubt, kick them in the shins. That’s what my dad always used to say. Yellow card to Andre.

49:02 Starting to wonder why I adopted Angola for this World Cup. Is it too late to say my favorite team is Brazil?

48:29 Figuerido in Angola’s midfield is truly abysmal. He spent the first three years living in Angola before moving to Portugal. I think he is confused what country he is playing for tonight.

46:33 Do you suppose that Angola player asked his barber to give him a “Loco” haircut. Looks like it is about half done. Kids, please don’t follow Loco’s lead. Get a full haircut.

45:01 The second half is underway in Cologne. Will Angola shock the world and get a result or will this be Portugal’s night? We shall see. We’ll also see C. Ronaldo pout for another 45 min. Can you imagine the look on his face if he gives up an own goal? Would be priceless.

End of Halftime I have shed the flag cape and re-filled the beer mug. I’m good to go for another 45 minutes. Thank you all for joining me and for your comments. You are all much more amusing than I could ever dream to be. Here’s hoping for a great second half.

Halftime After a fast start from Portugal, the Palancas Negras of Angola settled things down a bit. This game is still up in the air, although Portugal looks like the far superior team. I’m going to go refill the beer mug and will be back right before the second half. What are your thoughts thus far? Does my beloved Angola have a shot of coming away with a point or is this one already over?

44:21 Ronaldo fires another shot on goal but he won’t score as long as he has that kit on. Ricardo nice save for Angola. Good save from a guy who doesn’t even play for a club team. He shares that in common with me.

42:17 Andre drills a shot on the Portugal goal and earns Angola a corner. Nothing comes out of it but Angola has shown some signs of life. As long as it is a one goal game anything could happen, right?

41:45 Both teams look a little tired now. I can relate. Drinking beer and watching football all day long is exhausting. Hey kids, after tonight’s game we are 1/8 of the way through the World Cup. Going by too fast.

40:12 It must be fun to be in the Portugal midfield right now. They are getting no pressure on the ball and you get to be near the pretty boy C. Ronaldo. His mere presence makes everyone else beautiful.

37:47 I get the sense that Angola just wants to hold off until halftime. They could have been killed early but are hanging on. Do any of you think they can even this up? I still have faith but I am an atheist.

36:21 Crisis in Berlin. I’m out of beer and thirsty as hell. Can I make it another 10 minutes? 50-50 odds right now.

35:22 Ronaldo did not miss much with that header on the corner. He isn’t going to score as long as he wears a cut off jersey. How is he allowed to get away with that. I really don’t like that guy.

34:00 Angola concedes a corner. Ronaldo heads it off the crossbar. Angola races down to the other end and gets nothing. End to end action here.

33:21 Note to anyone else who liveblogs: don’t wear a hot flag as a cape when you are typing a million words a minute. Starting to sweat more than the players. Hot day here in Berlin.

32:17 After a dreadful start Angola has turned things around a bit. Just as I type that Pauleta barely misses a header to put Portugal up by a pair. Should have burried that one.

31:07 Angola captain Akwa with a shot that misses by about a mile. The cat isn’t afraid to shoot. I hear he has been quite a hit with the German ladies. My sources say the town of Celle, Germany is smitten with him. They must fancy guys who bicycle.

29:27 No sign of Beckenbauer in the crowd yet. Maybe his helicopter ran out of gas.

28:25 How would you describe the color of Portugal’s kits? Are they maroon, burngandy or something else?

27:40 Angola’s Jamba showed the yellow card for taking down Ronaldo.

26:47 Angola starting to play better and string together passes. This might be why they qualified for the World Cup. Beat out Nigeria in qualifying. Just spotted a tattoo on the back of a Portugal player. Isn’t that a chick thing?

25:35 Akwa with his second bicycle kick of the game. Flies it high and wide but boy is he getting on the highlight shows tonight. Must have watched the movie Victory! when he was little. Pele he is.

23:19 Angola discovers that there is another half of the field. Matteus gets off a bomb from outside but it flies over the crossbar. That’s what I’m talking about Angola!

22:09 Pretty much a one sided affair so far in this one. If Angola is this weak can you imagine how a coach-less Togo will be?

21:33 Shot of Scolari on the sideline. He is happy not to be coaching England tonight. Angola’s coach is nicknamed the Professor. He needs to come up with something smart to make this game more competitive.

20:22 Simao gets mugged by Delgado in the corner. Free kick Portugal. It runs over the other touchline and Portugal contines the attack. Angola fans have to be nervous anytime the ball is in their defensive third.

18:09 The Uruguay ref has a bit of a spare tire in his backside but so far hasn’t had to do much work. Still 1-0 Portugal. The game has settled after a frentic Portugal start.

17:35 The problem for Angola is that their pants are too tight. How can they move around in those things?

17:02 This is the 8th game I have watched on German tv and I still don’t understand a friggin’ word they are saying. Something about Angola playing like arse. My translation might be off though.

15:48 Angola keeper Ricardo down on the turf being attended to by the training staff. He might be wise to get off the pitch now the way his defense is playing. He’s up and alive.

14:34 Let’s hear it for night time! No shadows in this game. Can’t Germany do something about the sun? Like hide it during televised games.

13:12 Portugal with tons of space to operate in the midfield. Pauleta has been criticized a lot in the past but that opening goal has to be a good confidence booster for him.

12:26 Portugal free kick from 40 yards out. Cleared away by Angola but controlled by Portugal. Angola looked like it was going to get crushed in this one but things have settled down a bit. Only a matter of time before Portugal scored again though.

10:23 Akwa with a huge bicycle effort but he is unable to connect. That will be on the highlight reels after the game.

9:14 Any time the ball is near the Angola fullbacks you have to be nervous. They look completely scared and outclassed. The forwards are playing ok, but the midfield is nowhere to be seen. .

8:24 Angola has gone 5 minutes without giving up another goal. Small accomplishments.

7:07 Angola corner kick smothered by Portugal’s keeper Ricardo. Why do both keepers have to been named Ricardo? That is confusing. They should have co-ordinated better.

6:16 Angola has no answer for Ronaldo and Figo in the midfield. Figueriedo tries a shot from the outside. Settle down boys. The game isn’t over.

5:04 Absolutely the worst possible start for Angola. I’m afraid this one could turn into a blowout unless the Palancas settle down. Are they even playing with a backline? Doesn’t look like it.

3:47 GOAALLLLL> Figo feeds a cross to Pauleta. Terrible defending by Angola. 1-0 Portugal.

3:15 Figo dancing around in the midfield like a dancer. He has such grace. Too bad his hair is so greasy this time around.

2:27 Angola kicks it over the Portugal endline. A minor accomplishment!

1:21 Portugal on the attack again. Figo crosses it in but it is smothered by Angola keeper Ricardo. This one could get ugly early if the Palancas aren’t better in the back.

:06 Portugal races down the field and Pauleta almost scores. That would have been the fastest World Cup goals ever. Bad sign for Angola.

Kickoff We’re underway in Cologne as Angola makes its World Cup debut against the heavily favored team from Portugal. I’m pumped. Thanks for joining me for the next 90 minutes of football fun.

Pregame:
3 minute countdown: The players from both sides shake hands and the captains exchange gifts. Angola will play a 4-1-3-2.

5 minute countdown: Portugal’s national anthem is played. The players are standing shoulder to shoulder and singing loud and proud. This is such a great World Cup tradition.

6 minute countdown: Angola wearing white kits with red, black and yellow strip. Portugal wearing its purple Nike shirts. Both teams appear relaxed as the Angola national anthem is played. What a special moment it is for a war-torn African country. Goose bumps.

8 minute countdown: A beautiful evening in Cologne. No shadows on the pitch for a change. The referees from Uruguay lead both teams onto the pitch. The crowd is decidedly pro-Portugal but there are pockets of Angola support in the stands. What an exciting moment as their team makes its World Cup debut.

10 minute countdown: To set the scene here, I am wearing an Angola flag as a cape. I have a nice pilsner sitting next to me and nervous butterflies in my stomach. Angola is a team I adopted back in Novemeber. I apologize in advance to fans of Portugal. I’ll try to keep the LiveBlog neutral but it might be tough. This is one game where I have a rooting interest.

15 minute countdown: Angola is getting paid $5,000 per goal in the World Cup. I’m going to dig deep into my pockets and throw in an extra 2 Euros for each goal they score. I’m prepared to go broke if that is what it takes to see them win.

20 minute countdown: German television is showing where Angola is located on the world map. After tonight’s game everyone will know where it is located!

30 minute countdown: The German television shows both teams getting off the team buses. Angola looking good in some stylish Puma tracksuits. Portugal looking shabby in Nike gear. Advantage: Angola.

40 minute countdown: There is an Angola flag hanging out a window of the building next to the World Cup Blog Berlin HQ. A good luck sign if I have ever seen one.

50 minute countdown: I am ready for this one. My beloved Angola makes its World Cup debut against a very good Portugal team. I hope the lads are as fired up as I am!

It has been a hot day here in Germany but should be ideal football weather come kick off. What are your predictions?

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