Tuesday 16 October 2012

Northern Ireland Silence Ronaldo


Northern Ireland held Portugal to a 1-1 draw as they spoilt what was supposed to be Cristiano Ronaldo's big night.

Ronaldo was celebrating his 100th international cap, but Aberdeen's Niall McGinn put the visitors in front on 30 minutes in Porto and the visitors looked like pulling off an almighty shock until Helder Postiga levelled on 78.

Portugal, ranked No 3 in the world, 114 places above Northern Ireland, dominated possession for almost the entire 90 minutes of the World Cup qualifier but they were kept out until Postiga's goal by a magnificent defensive effort, led by Jonny Evans.

Ronaldo had two shots in the first five minutes, neither testing Roy Carroll, but it was one-way traffic for the first half an hour.

But then Northern Ireland silenced the Dragao Stadium - Evans passed forward to Kyle Lafferty, who did well to control the ball, turn and play an inch-perfect pass through to McGinn.

The Aberdeen man advanced into the box and clipped the ball magnificently past Patricio and into the top left corner.

Five minutes later Craig Cathcart had a huge let-off when he volleyed Joao Pereira's cross against his own bar, and the Irish got to the break 1-0 up.

On 58 Nani's cross was met by Ronaldo, whose first-time shot was superbly saved by Carroll, then Steve Davis saw his mis-hit clearance lob just over the bar.

Postiga for once got the better of Evans on 64, turned the centre-back superbly, but skied his shot into Row X.

Ronaldo burst into the box on 70 and looked set to bulge the net but Aaron Hughes' fine last-ditch tackle denied him but finally Postiga levelled from close range after Eder headed a cross back across goal.

Portugal poured forward for the winner, and nearly had it when Evans lunged at Eder's cross, and deflected the ball towards goal, only for Carroll to make a sensational save.


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