Portugal rout N.Korea

Portugal routed North Korea 7-0 in wet Cape Town on Monday to virtually clinch a World Cup second round place as France trained again after a one-day strike over expelled striker Nicolas Anelka.

The Portuguese scored thrice within eight minutes soon after half-time and just missed equalling the record winning margin of eight goals set by Germany against Saudi Arabia eight years ago.

The defeat eliminated North Korea from the competition and they will fly home after their final group match against Ivory Coast.

Cristiano Ronaldo was among the scorers with his first international goal in almost two years and Tiago (two), Raul Meireles, Simao, Hugo Almeida and Liedson also netted as the Koreans collapsed in the closing stages.

North Korea came to the World Cup for the first time in 44 years having conceded only seven goals in 16 Asian qualifiers and restricted five-time champions Brazil to a 2-1 victory in their opening Group G game.

JOHANNESBURG, AFP