Portugal vs Mozambique result : Portugal won 3-0
After the announcement of Nani's injury preventing him from playing in the World Cup, Portugal consoled itself with the return of Pepe after 6 months of absence from the pitch. His return was during Portugal's friendly game against Mozambique in Johannesburg, a game that Portugal won 3-0. Danny and Hugo Almeida scored points to the eye of manager Queiroz.
PORTUGAL - MOZAMBIQUE : 3-0
Goals : Danny (52nd minute), Almeida (75th and 83rd minute)
The last friendly game for Portugal before the World Cup is now in the past. We will remember from this game that Cristiano Ronaldo was on the bench and that Carlos Queiroz played with a Simao-Liedson-Danny trio up front. Coming in around the 60th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo tried his chance with long range shots. His first shot was from a free kick that hit the wall at the 66th minute. His second shot, at the 68th minute, went high and his third shot made goalkeeper Lama to give up a juicy rebound that Hugo Almeida scored on at the 83rd minute. Almeida, Werder Bremen's forward, came in the last 15 minutes of the game was realistic in front of the net as he previously scored at the 74th minute from a Danny pass. Not used a lot with Portugal, Danny was man of the match. He also setup Simao at the 20th and 36th minute but the Atletico Madrid winger could not score. Danny, who plays his club football at Zenit Saint-Petersburgh, scored the game's first goal at the 52nd minute and almost scored a second one 4 minutes later if it was not for Lama that made a stop on a 1-on-1.
But the game's biggest event was the Pepe's return to competition after being away for 6 months. Recovering from a serious knee injury, the Real Madrid central defender came in the last 15 minutes of the game to play as a defensive midfielder, his usual spot with Portugal. ''I am very pleased, very happy to make my comeback. I need to thank all the persons that always supported me in the national team and at Real Madrid, also my family that were always by my side and were very important for me'' declared Pepe, before he continued on his delicate period that he had to go through '' I was not scared. I worked hard to get to where I am right now. Before participating in the game, the most important part was the preparation. I always gave my maximum to get here with a lot of confidence'' added Pepe, delighted to play again.
A return from injury that was a sort of consolation for Portugal after the team lost the service of Nani for the World Cup. The Manchester United winger injured his shoulder during pratice the previous week and will not be able to play in the World Cup and will be replaced by Ruben Amorim, a versatile midfield player with Benfica. Nani's absence hurts Portugal, who was an important piece of the team. ''It's sad. But the most important is the cohesion of the team and we will all play together to overcome this. We are a team, we play united with a lot of ambition. That is all that I want.'' said Portugal's manager Carlos Quieroz. ''It is sad as it is for every player that misses the World Cup. But Nani is part of the group and every win in this World Cup will be dedicated to him'' concluded Pepe.
This concludes Portugal's friendly games as the team gets ready for its World Cup game against Ivory Coast who might be missing Didier Drogba, recovering from a surgery on his broken arm a week ago.
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