Nation has more than three points on the line against Argentina

Former Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz does not believe Alex Ferguson should stop going to watch games at Old Trafford – calling suggestions it would help current incumbent David Moyes ’pure fantasy’.

RUI COSTA led the so-called golden generation and Deco masterminded Luiz Felipe Scolari’s more combative side but now there is a big hole in the Portugal midfield.

2007: November – Ferguson is charged with using abusive and insulting words towards an official by the Football Association following an exchange with referee Mark Clattenburg during Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Bolton.

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has admitted it is unlikely he will take temporary charge of Portugal – but stopped short of ruling himself out entirely.

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas is confident coach Jose Mourinho will not be tempted into taking over as Portugal boss on a temporary basis.

SPAIN’S crusade to add the World Cup trophy to their Euro 2008 title continued last night with a closely-fought last-16 win over Iberian neighbours Portugal.

Spain 1 Portugal 0

SPAIN forward David Villa has launched a staunch defence of Fernando Torres and insists he is “totally convinced” his strike partner will regain his scoring touch.

LIKE watching Brazil? It was more like watching Barnsley on a bad day as the World Cup favourites laboured to a goalless draw with Portugal that sees them both through to the knockout stage.

BRAZIL have already progressedto the last 16 of the World Cupbut coach Dunga is still feeling plenty of pressure ahead of today’s final Group G showdown against Portugal.

Portugal 7 North Korea 0

IT IS two years since Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Portugal in a competitive international but the world’s most expensive player says he is “not concerned” by his ongoing struggles to find the net.

CRISTIANO RONALDO cut a frustrated figure after being denied by the woodwork and picking up a booking in Portugal’s scoreless draw against the Ivory Coast yesterday.

IVORY COAST boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is quietly confident striker Didier Drogba could play in today’s World Cup opener against Portugal.

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz praised his side’s organisation and discipline after overseeing a 3-1 World Cup warm-up win over Cameroon last night.

NELSON MANDELA proclaimed that it has been worth the long wait for the World Cup to arrive on African soil, but Brazil and Portugal may not be feeling quite so welcoming after last night’s draw.

PORTUGAL negotiated a tricky tie to qualify for the World Cup after a 1-0 success in Bosnia-Herzegovina sealed a 2-0 aggregate success last night.

Bosnia-Herzegovina 0 Portugal 1 (Portugal win 2-0 on aggregate)

DECO admitted Portugal rode their luck as they secured a narrow advantage over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Lisbon.

PORTUGAL coach Carlos Queiroz insists his team are more than capable of reaching the World Cup despite the significant absence of Cristiano Ronaldo as they head into the first-leg of their play-off with Bosnia-Herzegovina tonight.

Real Madrid have confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to Portugal for an assessment of his ankle injury in a new twist to the superstar’s club-versus-country dispute.

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz intends to call up Cristiano Ronaldo for the upcoming World Cup play-offs against Bosnia-Herzegovina, despite the latest medical reports from Real Madrid saying the forward will be out of action for at least two more weeks with his ankle injury.

PORTUGAL defender Ricardo Carvalho believes the carrot of reaching the World Cup finals will force Hungary to come out fighting in their crucial qualifier tonight.

CRISTIANO RONALDO is ready for his proposed £80million (€94m) move to Real Madrid to make him an object of hate – and feels he will thrive under the insults.

CRISTIANO RONALDO insists winning the Ballon d’Or award will not increased the pressure on him to perform.

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti believes Cristiano Ronaldo was the worthy winner of the Ballon d’Or.

CRISTIANO RONALDO has admitted that he is pleased to see Chelsea top of the Premier League because it reflects well on his former international coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick admits the departure of assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has left a big hole at the club.

David Beckham believes Manchester United will soon overcome the loss of Carlos Queiroz after the Old Trafford number two was named as the new head coach of Portugal.

Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has been appointed as the new head coach of Portugal.

Real Madrid are maintaining their pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo despite the news the Manchester United winger will miss the start of the new season after surgery on his ankle.

Carlos Queiroz has indicated he could soon leave his role as Manchester United assistant manager to take charge of the Portugal national side.

Former Portugal coach Agostinho Oliveira believes Carlos Queiroz is the “right man” to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari.

REAL Madrid president Ramon Calderon has dismissed suggestions the Spanish champions would be willing to spend €100 million on Cristiano Ronaldo.

REAL MADRID president Ramon Calderon has attempted to soothe relations with Manchester United over their pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting: “We are not going to start a conflict”.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and his assistant Carlos Queiroz have been cleared of a charge of improper conduct by the Football Association.

Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has launched an extraordinary attack on the Spanish nation and Real Madrid in particular over what he believes are attempts to “naturalise” Cristiano Ronaldo.

Alex Ferguson feels trusted assistant Carlos Queiroz can be a major ally in keeping Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.

Cristiano Ronaldo declared his affection for Manchester United after capping a magnificent season by helping the club win the Champions League.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes his side’s hopes of wresting Ronaldo away from United rest on what the player himself wants.

Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has warned his former club Real Madrid that even €120m would not be enough to prise away Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and assistant manager Carlos Queiroz have been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association today.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Wayne Rooney and told the striker not to get upset about his goal drought.