RUSTENBURG, South Africa — Portugal's players suddenly have a bounce in their step at the World Cup.
The team looked sullen after a dreary 0-0 opening draw against Ivory Coast rattled confidence but Monday's startling 7-0 win over North Korea has injected some life into a first round that's been short on goals from the bigger European teams.
"We needed a result like this," coach Carlos Queiroz said.
Portugal's biggest ever World Cup win lifted morale and has generated momentum. Portugal could finish tied on points with Ivory Coast after the last Group G matches on Friday but now has a huge goal difference advantage over the African side.
Many of Europe's big sides have struggled and Portugal looked to be one of them after Ivory Coast had the best of the teams' opening meeting.
But the Portuguese flared into life in Cape Town, recording a triumph to rank along their memorable quarter-final comeback against the same opponent at the 1966 World Cup. North Korea led 3-0 back then before the great Eusebio led his side to a 5-3 victory.
"We're feeling delighted and hugely confident," winger Simao Sabrosa said.
The avalanche of six second-half goals was savoured all the more because it came after two years of grumbling at home that a squad featuring Cristiano Ronaldo had failed to live up to expectations since reaching the semifinals of the 2006 edition.
Portugal's qualification campaign for South Africa was at times woeful. It included three 0-0 draws, including one at home against 10-man Albania.
The goal tally against North Korea silenced, for the moment at least, the gripes about Portugal's difficulty finding the net.
Ronaldo ended a 495-day goal drought for his country, going back to a 1-0 friendly win over Finland in February 2009. He last scored in a competitive match at the 2008 European Championship.
"After fasting, Portugal feasts," sports paper Record said.
Queiroz can also breathe easier. His tactics against Ivory Coast brought criticism from midfield linchpin Deco and introduced a note of tension into the camp.
Under pressure to take chances against North Korea, Queiroz's four changes to the starting lineup paid off.
But the coach moved swiftly quick to keep his players' feet on the ground.
"All it amounted to was three points," said Queiroz, who did acknowledge that his players felt "rejuvenated."
The Portuguese still have no international trophy and plenty of hard work lies ahead. Portugal needs at least a draw against Brazil on Friday to guarantee progress to the round of 16 irrespective of any unlikely combination of events.
Portugal has four points compared with one for the Ivory Coast, which meets North Korea in its last group game.
"Nothing's decided yet," Sabrosa said. "We've got to get ready for Brazil now."
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