Special: FIFA WORLD CUP GERMANY 2006>>>

Portugal beat Angola 1-0 in their opening World Cup match to move level on points with Mexico at the top of Group D.

Pedro Pauleta, who almost scored after just 12 seconds, gave Portugal the lead in the fourth mintue with a neat shot after Luis Figo broke clear from the middle and dished out an immaculate cross.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit the bar with a thumping header for Portugal in the 35th minute, and nine minutes later the United Manchester winger cut a distraught figure after seeing his powerful drive parried by Angola goalkeeper Joao Ricardo.

The second half never quite lived up to the first half's promise though Pauleta and Maniche went close for Portugal.

Portugal coach Felipe Scolari conceded Angola were more competitive than Portugal had anticipated.

He praised for Angola and stressed the important feature was ensuring Portugal collected all three points.

"The game was more competitive than expected," said Scolari.

"At one stage they were better than us in midfield, but if you look at the best goal chances they were all ours.

"The important thing is it is three points in the bag and there are six matches to go (to the final)."

Portugal's match-winner Pauleta acknowledged the need for improvement, but also insisted that winning was the key aspect to take from the game.

"It was the first match of the tournament (for us), which is always difficult," said Pauleta.

"The important thing is that we got the three points against an Angola team that really played well.

"We have to improve, that's clear," he said.

Luis Figo, whose class was evident from the outset, echoed Pauleta's sentiments and also praised the display of World Cup debutants Angola.

Figo said: "We could have played a little better, but we're satisfied with the result.

"Our plan was to get three points so 1-0 was as good as 5-0. If we win the next match against the team that lost in our group (Iran), they're out and we're through.

"Angola came at us with more spirit in the second half and put us under pressure with their speed.

"But we could have scored more too. It was a real battle right to the end."

Figo has spent most of international career patrolling the right flank for country, but at the age of 33 he is now deployed in a more central role, with Simao Sabrosa and Ronaldo doing the running for him.

Angola never quite got to grips with the freedom Portugal allowed Figo, who also provided a threat from set-pieces.

On the hour Ronaldo was taken off by coach Luis Felipe Scolari, a decision that clearly angered him.

Pauleta, who is Portugal's record goal scorer, might have given the European side the lead with the game barely 12 seconds old.

Sabrosa's pass released the Paris St Germain striker whose shot beat Joao Ricardo only to go the wrong side of the post.

Figo might be in the twilight of his career, but Portugal's captain still possesses an impressive burst of speed as he showed in creating the opening goal.

He sprinted past the leaden-footed Jamba before crossing for Pauleta, who sent a left-footed shot past Ricardo.

Making their World Cup debut, Angola must have feared the worst after that Pauleta goal, particularly as they had lost 6-0 and 5-1in their two previous meetings with Portugal.

But to their immense credit Angola refused to be overawed and went on the offensive.

Fabrice Akwa tried a couple of ambitious bicycle kicks, while Antonio Mendonca and Andre Mateus had long-range shots.

Three minutes before the interval another Angola shot, this time from Andre Macanga, drew a fine save from Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo.

The second half had a subdued opening, though Pauleta tried to reinvigorate Portugal with an ambitious curling shot and then a clever pass that set up a Tiago effort.

Scolari replaced Ronaldo with the more defensive Costinha as Portugal's coach attempted to close down the midfield, testament to the way Angola had rattled their European opponents.

While Portugal sought to protect their lead, Angola replaced Akwa with Pedro Mantorras, but the Benfica forward was unable to change the course of the game.

Substitute Maniche almost snatched a second Portugal goal late on with a rising drive.

Editor: Donald