Portugal push Cameroon aside

Portugal 3-1 Cameroon
Portugal were given a timely boost in their FIFA World Cup preparations as Raul Meireles scored twice and Nani added a late third in a 3-1 victory against fellow finalists Cameroon in Covilha.

Carlos Queiroz's men were eager to improve on their goalless draw against Cape Verde Islands eight days ago and hit the front when Raul Meireles scored after 32 minutes. Samuel Eto'o was sent off moments later and Portugal pulled away after the interval with Raul Meireles's second and Nani striking either side of a Pierre Webó consolation.

After an uneventful start to the match, Cristiano Ronaldo and Samuel Eto'o became central figures in the playmaking stakes for either side with the Portugal talisman going closest on 17 minutes when he burst through on Idriss Kameni, the RCD Espanyol goalkeeper making a magnificent save to keep his side level.

The respite was brief, however, Paulo Ferreira surging down the right and crossing low into the centre of the area for Raul Meireles to score. Eto'o, already on a yellow card, departed barely a minute later for a challenge on Duda. Kameni then denied Ronaldo and Simão went close as Cameroon struggled to reach the break only one adrift.

One minute after the resumption, however, Raul Meireles did make it 2-0, deceiving Kameni from an acute angle. Eric Choupo-Moting's 52nd-minute effort was well held by Eduardo while Nani was thwarted by Benoît Assou-Ekotto's goal-line clearance.

Webó headed in a 69th-minute Assou-Ekoto cross to give Cameroon hope but Nani's deft lob on 81 minutes from Ronaldo's pass ensured Portugal claimed the spoils.