World Cup play-offs: Ronaldo 1, Ibra 0

World Cup play-offs: Ronaldo 1, Ibra 0

FIRST LEG

PORTUGAL 1 (Cristiano Ronaldo 82)

SWEDEN 0

They billed it as the clash of the two brilliant gems.

But only one came out to play.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's greatest hope, lived up to his billing by scoring the only goal of the game to give his team a 1-0 win over Sweden in Lisbon Saturday morning (Singapore time).

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was left to lick his wounds after a disappointing performance which left his team with plenty to do to reach next year's World Cup in Brazil.

It didn't always look that way.

For all of Portugal's domination, they couldn't find the breakthrough until late on.

The chances flowed for the hosts, who commanded 68 per cent of possession.

Joao Moutinho rounded goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson in a crowded Sweden penalty box after just five minutes, but could only direct his shot at the side netting.

Pepe found himself in space but could do no better than head straight at Isaksson.

Helder Postiga went missing for much of the game. On the one occasion he could make a mark, he headed over the bar in the second half.

Moutinho and Raul Meireles controlled the middle of the park but couldn't quite find an edge in the attacking third.

TACTICAL STRENGTH

If Portugal were counting on their flair, Sweden were relying on their superb organisation and admirable tactical discipline.

After all, collective strength is their biggest asset. For a huge chunk of the game, it worked.

Sweden were intent on protecting their goal to give themselves a chance in the return leg.

They approached the match like a high-stakes chess game that required more brains than adventure.

But, starved of meaningful supply in the final third, Ibrahimovic struggled to worry the Portuguese defence.

A back-flick pass to a teammate in the second half drew cheers from the away fans, but that was about the best he could muster in 90 minutes.

He had left his magic in the dressing room. Ronaldo produced his in the nick of time.

With eight minutes of normal time left, the Real Madrid hitman struck, pouncing like a leopard on an unsuspecting prey.

BEAUTY

He dashed across the penalty box, stooped low and, from the edge of the six-yard box, headed a beauty into the back of the net.

The Estadio da Luz erupted with joy. In their hour of need, the captain delivered.

Ronaldo always looked like the man most likely to make a decisive contribution, given his form - he tops the La Liga scoring charts with 16 goals and has also netted eight times in four Champions League outings.

Moments later, he almost put a second past Sweden, but his header came back off the crossbar.

But no one in the Portuguese camp is complaining.

He had bailed them out of trouble.

Bout one: Ronaldo 1 Ibrahimovic 0

But you suspect the Swede won't take this lying down.

The Friends Arena, where the second leg will be played on Wednesday morning, is Ibrahimovic's favourite hunting ground.

It was where he put four goals past England last year, and three past Norway in August.

Game on.


Get The New Paper for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.