Portugal revives World Cup hopes Sunday, June 07, 2009
Bruno Alves scored an injury-time goal Saturday to give Portugal a 2-1 win at Albania to revive its hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
The defender jumped to connect with a deep cross from Raul Meireles Alves and head past goalkeeper Isli Hidi in the third minute of stoppage time.
Portugal, which was coming off three straight scoreless draws, is now third with nine points in Group 1 - seven behind Denmark and four back from Hungary.
Portugal led 1-0 in the 27th when Jose Bosingwa's cross eluded three Albanians and gave Hugo Almeida a free header.
Albania, playing its first match under new Croatian coach Josip Kuze, equalized two minutes later through Erjon Bogdani's header from a cross by Ervin Skela.
"Albania played well and deserved a draw but that's football - played to the last minute," Bogdani said.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo failed to really threaten despite playing at centre forward most of the second half. He came closest in the 55th, with a free kick that was saved by Hidi.
"It was bad to suffer a last-minute goal after a good play against an excellent team," Kuze said.
