Portugal beat a weak Cyprus side 6-0 at home last night to move up into second place in Group Two and dramatically improve their goal difference - it's now plus 13, the same as the Republic of Ireland's.
An embarrassing mistake by Cypriot Goalkeeper Michael Morphis gave Portugal their first goal in the 36th minute when he fumbled with the ball and let it slip between his legs into the net after a weak shot from the edge of the area by Pauleta.
Midfielder Pedro Barbosa bagged Portugal's second in the 55th when he converted a pass from team-mate Nuno Capucho and shot the ball home from 25 yards. Barbosa scored again four minutes later when Morphis failed to grab a high ball under pressure from Portuguese striker Joao Pinto. The midfielder blasted the rebound home from just outside the box.
Pauleta made it 4-0 in the 71st minute and Pinto put Portugal five up five minutes later. Pinto completed the rout in the 81st minute.
PORTUGAL: R Pereira; R Jorge, N Frechaut, J Costa, B Severo, A Petit, P Barbosa, 10-Rui Costa, J Pinto, N Capucho, P Pauleta.
CYPRUS: M Morphis; G Theodotou, F Filippou, M Charalambous, I Ioakim, M Satsias, P Engomitis, I Okkas, M Christodoulou, C Germanou, M Constantinou.
Referee: S Farina (Italy)
