Ronaldo first of the famous five to arrive

IT HAS taken 30 matches and 11 long days but at last one of the Big Five has been spotted in South Africa; the prowling and preening Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo emerged hungry and determined from the shadows in Cape Town last night to feast on North Korea, guiding Portugal to a 7-0 victory that leaves them strong favourites to qualify, along with Brazil.

It was a hugely significant match for the Real Madrid winger, who hadn’t scored an international goal for almost two years, and for a tournament that has so far been short on goals from its biggest stars.

None of the other ‘Big Five’ of Kaka, Messi, Rooney and Torres have managed to hit the net so far but Ronaldo’s contribution in the Green Point Stadium saw him named man-of-the-match and gave his confidence a welcome boost.

He also claimed an assist and struck the crossbar with a stunning shot, but the remainder of the goals were spread amongst the team with Raul Meireles, Simao, Almeida, Tiago (2) and Liedson also on target, so no wonder the strutting captain was pleased with his side.

“I said to everyone ‘don’t worry, the goals are coming’ and today they came – not just for me but for everyone,” he said. “Seven goals is amazing.

“If you continue to work hard then the goals will come and I always believed that Portugal could win this match.

“I think that we deserve some praise as we played an attractive type of football that people like to watch.”

That much is certainly true because at times Portugal’s football was scintillating, all quick-passing, quick movement and instant finishes, especially in the second half when they scored six times.

But they also showed an impressive team spirit, celebrating goals in 11-man huddles and hunting for the ball in packs; and that togetherness was highlighted when Ronaldo passed his man-of-the-match award on to two-goal Tiago.

“I gave Tiago the award because he was our best player and played better than me. It was the right thing to do,” he said.

Portugal’s next match is against Brazil in Durban on June 25 but considering the Brazilians have already qualified for the last 16 it may not be as daunting as first feared.

Ronaldo said: “It will be a match against the best in the world but this Portugal team believes in itself and feels it can play well in this game.”

Certainly Ronaldo & Co looked ominously good here in Cape Town, completely demolishing a North Korea side who had given Brazil a run for their money only a week ago.

The Koreans started brightly, creating early chances, but once Portugal got into their stride there was only going to be one winner.

Chelsea’s Ricardo Carvalho headed against a post early on before Raul Meireles put his side ahead following a neat ball from Simao after 29 minutes and from that moment on the result was never in dobut.

The second goal after 53 minutes the best of the lot; Miguel’s arrow-straight driven pass being laid off by Tiago, touched on by Almeida and finished first-time by Simao.

Hugo Almeida’s header from Fabio Coentrao’s cross made it 3-0 before Ronaldo set up Tiago and substitute Liesdson made it 5-0.

Ronaldo’s contribution had a stroke of luck, the ball bouncing up as he challenged the keeper before landing on his back, rolling over his head and landing perfectly for him to fire home.

But Tiago’s late header completed the rout and leaves Portugal and Ronaldo as serious contenders. One down for the Big Five, just four more to look out for…

PORTUGAL: Eduardo 7; Miguel 8, Alves 7, Carvalho 8, Coentrao 8, Ronaldo 8, Mendes 7, Meireles 8 (Veloso 70,6), Tiago 8, Simao 8 (Duda 74, 7), Almeida 8 (Liedsen 77, 7).

NORTH KOREA: Ri Myong-Guk 5, Cha Jong-Hyok 6 (Nam Song-Choi 75, 6), Ri Jun-Il 6, Ri Kwang-Chon 5, Pak Chol-Jin 6, Pak Nam-Choi 6 (K-I Kim 58, 5), Ji Yun-Nam 6, Mun In-Guk 6 (Kim Yong-Jun 58, 5), Ahn Yong-Hak 6, Jong Tae-Se 6, Hong Yong-Jo 5.