Portugal have gone into half-time 0-0 against Iran’s Team Melli in their Group D encounter in Frankfurt on Saturday.

Both sides had some good chances in the opening period, with Portugal having the majority of the early chances and forcing five corners in the first 16 minutes of the match.

Portugal threatened the Iranian goal on a few occasions. A good challenge from Team Melli defender Javan Nekonam thwarted a shot from Pauleta.

Portugal’s Maniche then fired in snapshot from distance but it was well over the bar.

Mehrzad Madanchi found himself unmarked in front of goal for Iran but his final shot was defended at the last minute as he struggled to get his shot together.

The pressure was almost constant from Portugal, but the Iranian’s were doing extremely well giving the Europeans no space to play their normal passing-game.

Chelsea’s Ricardo Carvalho had a header go just wide from yet another corner in the 28th minute, but the Iran defence were beginning to frustrate the Portuguese.

The Iran captain Mehdi Mahdavikia sent in two decent crosses as Iran took their turn to test Portugal but, despite a few jitters in Portugal's defence, the Portuguese cleared well to avert the danger.

Vahid Hashemian had a shot ricochet off the post at the half-hour mark to give the Portuguese a scare, but still Portugal pushed for an opener, but without the final telling pass.

Hossein Kaabi and Mehrzad Madanchi were defending excellently for Iran, with Madanchi never being fooled by the nifty footwork of Manchester United star Cristian Ronaldo.

Portugal were still pressing, with Ronaldo hitting the side netting before Portugal’s talismanic captain Luis Figo was kicked in the face in the 35th minute that went unpunished by the referee.

Iran began to find their feet as the half came to a close, with an attack started by Ali Karimi, who passed to Mahdavikia, who played a lovely ball through to Hashemian, but his cross was just behind the two strikers in front of goal.

Portugal had a late chance, with Miguel’s shot running just across the face of goal, when a pass would have been better.

The game went into half-time 0-0, with Portugal having had the better chances, but with Iran making life very hard for the Portuguese, who have defended excellently.

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