MEXICO v ANGOLA - MATCH REPORT
Toby Higgins

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Ten man Angola held on to secure their first ever world cup point against a wasteful Mexico to dent their chances of qualification.

Angola had midfielder Andre Macanga dismissed on eighty minutes for two yellow cards, the second picked up for a needless handball, as the African side looked set to face a Mexican onslaught, but the winner never came as Angola scored only the second point of the tournament by an African side.

Mexico had most of the better chances early on, Carlos Salcido watching his shot dip just over from range, and Barcelona star Rafeal Marquez bent a free-kick against the post with the club less Angolan keeper Ricardo helpless.

Angola rallied as the half went on, Akwa seeing his header drift over, but Mexico's best chances came right on half time, Ricardo bravely diving at the feet of striker Guillermo Franco to deny Mexico what would have surely been a certain goal.

Ricardo continued to frustrate Mexico in the second half, saving well from Francisco Fonseca and two goal hero against Iran, Omar Bravo, as well as making a great save to deny Marquez once more, as the game ended goalless.

Mexico would have been assured of a place in the second round if they had seen of the challenge of minnows Angola, but their failure to do so means that, while they still should qualify from the group, they will have to hope other results in the group go their way. Angola themselves won't be ruling out a place in the second round just yet, as they too wait on other results as well as their own.

Man of the Match: Ricardo - The Angolan stopper performed heroics for his nation to keep them in the match, as well as the tournament. Currently unemployed, his eye-catching performance will have been noted by a few clubs across the world.

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Venue: AWD - Arena
Attendance: 43,000
Referee: Shamsul Maidin

Here's a small selection of the odds from Sporting Odds for today's Portugal v Iran game. Many more on the coupon on the Sporting Odds site.

Portugal 2/7
Iran 10/1
Draw 15/4

Portugal To Win

1-0 5/1
2-0 9/2
2-1 8/1
3-0 13/2
3-1 11/1
3-2 33/1
4-0 12/1

First Portugal Scorer

Pauleta 11/4
Nuno Gomes 9/2
Cristiano Ronaldo 5/1
Simao Sabrosa 5/1
Helder Postiga 6/1
Luis Figo 13/2

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