Portugal 2:0 China

Goals in each half from Hugo Almeida and Liedson gave Portugal a 2-0 win over China in a pre-World Cup friendly on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo, playing his first game for Portugal after missing three matches through injury, counter-attacked down the left flank and sent over a low cross for Almeida to sidefoot home in the 36th minute.

Liedson added Portugal’s second in the last minute, deflecting a Joao Moutinho shot into the net.

Bernabeu Trophy - RM 4:1 Rosenborg

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RM 5:1 Toronto FC ; Cris score again

Real Madrid’s dream team, after an incredible summer spending spree, finally took to the field at BMO Field. Kaka, Benzema, Ronaldo and Raul Gonzalez were all accommodated in the starting formation. New signings Alvaro Arbeloa and Raul Albiol also featured in the starting lineup for the Merengues. Their last outing was a defeat at the hands of Juventus. Florentino Perez’s expensively assembled squad was finally out in full force handing debuts to Kaka and Arbeloa with Xabi Alonso on the bench.....More

CR's debut for RM; RM 1:0 Shamrock Rovers

Cristiano Ronaldo did not disappoint in his debut for Real Madrid. The Portuguese star was very participative during the 45 minutes he was on the field, and on his opinion "it is too early to draw conclusions." In statements to the channel "La Sexta" Cristiano said to feel good among his companions and with the game system of Pellegrini, saying that he is anxious to play in the Bernabéu: "It will be very special."

"We can not yet draw conclusions, the most important is to keep trying, winning, and then try to shoot more, Score more goals ... We are beginning, nothing is set, I'm giving along with my companions, but it is still the first contact we have on the field. "
"For me it is the same to play on the right, left or through the middle, what I want is to play and help the team and to integrate with my colleagues as soon as possible."
"I am working well, calm, and I hope to make many goals here. I really want to play at the Bernabéu this Sunday, it will be a very special moment for me and I hope that things continue to flow as well as they are now.

CR penalty earns Portugal win over Finland

A second-half Cristiano Ronaldo penalty earned Portugal a 1-0 victory against Finland in a friendly on Wednesday but the hosts far from impressed with their poor finishing.

Portugal have struggled to find form since coach Carlos Queiroz took charge last summer and hope to overcome a weak start in 2010 World Cup Group One qualifying by beating Sweden in Porto next month.

"It's a shame we didn't score one or two more goals. It is a problem for me and the players to solve, but the pitch was not in a great state and didn't allow us to pass, control and finish more efficiently," Queiroz said.

Queiroz made six changes to the side that was thrashed 6-2 by Brazil in a friendly in November, but despite creating over 20 chances his team could not score from open play.

Pepe was moved up from his usual central defence role to play in front of Bruno Alves and Rolando, but with the Finns posing little attacking threat the performance of the Portugal front line became the focus of attention.

Portugal had most of the possession in the first half, but failed to break down a well-organised Finnish defence. Ronaldo volleyed just wide and Hugo Almeida went close with a header, but Portugal resorted mainly to shooting from distance.

Finland, who came into the friendly after a 5-1 thrashing by Japan last week, had their first chance on 39 minutes when a powerful Mikael Forsell drive was blocked by keeper Eduardo.

Portugal created more chances in the second-half with debutant Orlando Sa shooting wide from close range and defender Paulo Ferreira forcing substitute keeper Niki Maenpaa into a smart save.

The breakthrough came on 79 minutes with Ronaldo converting a penalty after Sami Hyypia fouled substitute striker Danny.

FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo was pleased with the performance and said Portugal "had managed to create many chances against a team which has tall and strong players who stay behind the ball".

"I hope this win signals a turnaround for a great year. I am sure things will improve from now on," he added.

Cris miss out Greece friendly

Manchester United's Portuguese stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani were ruled out on Monday of Wednesday's friendly with European champions Greece it was announced by the Portuguese Football Federation's doctor.

Ronaldo is suffering from pains in his left leg while Nani - who along with his compatriot scored in the 3-0 Premiership win over Liverpool on Sunday - has pulled a muscle in his right leg.

Portuguese coach Felipe Scolari opted not to replace them for a match that is a repeat of the Euro 2004 final in Lisbon which Greece won.

Italy Handed Us A Footballing Lesson

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that Portugal were taught a footballing lesson during their defeat to Italy last night, while the Portuguese press has also highlighted the Azzurri superiority.

Italy produced an impressive display at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich, as goals from Luca Toni, Fabio Cannavaro and Fabio Quagliarella earned them a deserved 3-1 win.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been in sensational form in the English Premiership this season was one of the disappointments of the night, as he was marked out of the game by the Italian defence.

“It was an important lesson for us all,” said Ronaldo, who only really threatened with two long-range free-kicks.

The Portuguese press were damning in their verdict of their team’s display, and said they were lucky not to lose by a bigger scoreline.

“Only Ricardo Quaresma saved our honour. A poor performance and another defeat against Italy,” printed A Bola.

Portugal have not beaten Italy for 32 years, with their last victory coming way back in 1976 when Euro 84’ hero Nene scored twice in a 2-1 success.

“Italy exposed Portugal’s fragility,” Record said.

“The world champions gave a lesson in maturity to Scolari’s side. With less possession they dominated, scored three times and missed other chances.”

Cris looks for birthday win over world champs

Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo said on Monday he was looking forward to a birthday present in the form of a friendly win over world champions Italy.

The Manchester United winger turned 23 on Tuesday and admitted that a win "would make a nice present."

He explained: "For my birthday I would have liked to be with my family but the national team is like a second family and so a victory over Italy would make a nice present, especially since Portugal have not beaten Italy for 31 years."

Since that win in Lisbon in a friendly Italy have won nine and drawn one game, conceding just three goals in the process.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said he would not hear of the game being just a warm-up for the European Championships.

"For me, against Italy, I want to win. We don't have a great record against them. We must change that."

MU 2 : 3 Al Hilal, Cris keep scoring

CRISTIANO RONALDO opened up his box of magic tricks and wowed the Kingdom of Saud.

He was greeted by 65,000 in the King Fahd Stadium as if he was one of their own.

The Portuguese star responded like he always does — by entertaining those who have come to enjoy the beautiful game.

Here last night, Ronaldo continued his quest for world domination.

They went mad in Seoul, Macau and Guangzhou in the summer.

Now he has been a hit on United’s first trip to the Middle East.

While he has learned to simplify his game to an extent at home, nights like this are for flicks and tricks.

The defenders were bamboozled, the crowd amazed. A volleyed backheel brought a gasp.

Then a blistering burst of pace set up the equaliser after Al Hilal had taken a surprise lead through Yasser Al Gahtane on 19 minutes.

Ronaldo skipped between two opponents on halfway, leaving them skidding into each other.

Then he picked out a diagonal pass for Carlos Tevez, who clipped a shot back across the keeper.

Ronaldo then gave United the lead on 33 minutes, with a glancing header from Nani’s corner.

This game was to honour the retirement of 163-cap Saudi Arabia legend Sami Al Jaber — so it was only right the man should score, netting a penalty after being clipped by Rio Ferdinand.

With Ronaldo replaced at half-time, United lost much of their potency and went behind to Bader Al Khoraeshe’s overhead kick, before Danny Welbeck, 17, missed a last-minute penalty.

Boss Alex Ferguson said: “It was a good open match and we are delighted for Sami to get a crowd like that.”

Friendly match : MU 2:3 Inter

United tasted defeat in their first domestic action of pre-season, losing out in a five-goal thriller to Inter Milan at Old Trafford.

A massive crowd of 73,738 - a record friendly attendance at Old Trafford - were treated to a highly entertaining 90 minutes between the champions of England and Italy.

Roberto Mancini's Inter won thanks to a brace from David Suazo and a neat finish from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while Wayne Rooney and an Adriano own goal were United's efforts......More

Macau Tour

Manchester United dominates Shenzhen 6-0 in Macau

Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and three others scored as Manchester United gave Chinese side Shenzhen Xiangxue Eisiti a 6-0 drubbing in the southern Chinese gambling enclave Macau on Monday.

Picking up a short pass, Rooney dribbled into the penalty box at Macau Stadium and passed to the middle to Giggs for the follow through in the 11th minute.

Rooney found the net himself by delicately curving the ball from inside the penalty box into the top right corner of the goal in the 19th minute.

Then Nani, making his United debut after transferring from Sporting Lisbon, drilled the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from outside the penalty box in the 22nd minute and celebrated by doing a flip.

Ronaldo narrowly missed a powerful free kick before the half that sent Shenzhen's crossbar shuddering. Ronaldo tapped the ball to John O'Shea inside the penalty box and O'Shea scored in the 54-minute to make it 4-0.

Fed by Rooney, Ronaldo easily made his shot from the corner of the goal box in the 56-minute for United's fifth goal.

Christopher Eagles fired a lob from well beyond the penalty box that landed over the Shenzhen goalkeeper in the 63rd minute to give United a 6-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes injured himself during a training session and was sent home, the club said on its official Web site Monday.
The report said details of Scholes' injury weren't immediately confirmed.

In Asia for an exhibition tour, United beat FC Seoul Friday and next plays Guangzhou Pharmaceutical this Friday.

CR one goal & two assists

Cristiano Ronaldo enhanced his standing as arguably the most popular player in the Far East by producing a magical 45-minute display as Manchester United defeated FC Seoul 4-0 here on Friday.

The Portuguese forward, whose every touch was greeted by cheers and piercing screams, scored one and made two other goals in a comprehensive victory for the English champions.

And although the double Footballer of the Year was replaced at half-time, United still showed enough to suggest that they will once again take some stopping in the Premiership this season.

United were without South Korean midfielder Ji-Sung Park due to the knee injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until Jaunary at the earliest.

But the 65,000 sell-out crowd inside the Seoul WorldCup Stadium were not short of superstars to entertain them and both Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney turned on the style in front the hugely passionate supporters.

Seoul, languishing in mid-table in the K-League, were never a match for the Premiership giants and the English team cruised into a three-goal inside the opening half hour.

The game was only five minutes when Ronaldo, who appears to be building up a David Beckham-like status in the Far East, scored his second goal of the Asia Tour following neat inter-play with Rooney.

England striker Rooney received the ball from a throw-in halfway inside the Seoul half before turning and laying the ball off to the on-rushing Ronaldo.

With the defenders backing off, Ronaldo powered forward before beating keeper Kim Byung-Ji with a low shot from 20 yards.

Ki Sung Yeung gave United a fright seven minutes later when he shot narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area, but on 18 minutes, Sir Alex Ferguson's team had doubled their lead through youngster Chris Eagles.

Ronaldo was again a key figure as he played tricks with the ball before teeing up the young midfielder and Eagles beat Kim with a curling effort into the bottom corner of the net.

The home side simply could not compete with United's superior quality and Rooney put United 3-0 ahead on 20 minutes with well-taken goal, again after being teed up by Ronaldo.

Ronaldo almost made it 4-0 on 29 minutes with a vicious left-foot strike from 30 yards that flew a matter of inches over the crossbar.

Rooney and Ronaldo were replaced at half-time by Ryan Giggs and Alan Smith and Seoul were able to settle quicker after the break, creating chances to reduce the deficit.

But Kim Dong Suk's low effort was saved by goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak and United unsurprisingly regained the upper hand shortly afterwards, with Senegal-born France defender Patrice Evra rounding off a two-man move involving Giggs and Paul Scholes to score from close range on 59 minutes.

Good start for Cris

MU 4:3 Europe XI, CR goal

Cristiano Ronaldo gave a further glimpse of a potentially glittering future as Manchester United paid tribute to their European past on Tuesday.

United celebrated 50 years of European competition by beating a Europe XI 4-3 and Ronaldo was the undoubted star of the show in front of 74,343 supporters at Old Trafford.

Bobby Charlton, a member of Matt Busby's team that fulfilled a burning ambition by winning United's first European Cup in 1968, had tipped Ronaldo to be one of the game's great players in the build-up to the showpiece match.

The 22-year-old Portuguese international did not disappoint him with a dazzling display capped by a stunning set-piece goal in his 45-minute appearance which further explained United's desire to secure his long-term future on a new contract.

Ronaldo's quick feet bewitched the European defence and 10 minutes before halftime he curled a 35-metre free kick past Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and into the top corner.

It was the kind of goal which made David Beckham's name during his days as United's set-piece wizard, although he was unable to play after injuring his knee while playing for Real Madrid earlier this month.

Beckham was given a thunderous reception, however, on returning for his first United match since leaving for Spain in 2003.

"It's amazing to be back...I am devastated to be injured but just being here is enough. The time I spent at this club was the best time of my career," Beckham told the crowd at halftime.

"I have waited four years to say thank you to the fans and the people at the club who supported me throughout my career."

"You've got the best manager in the world and I think this team is going to be incredible and will win many things for years to come."