Portugal launch campaign with impressive victory over Turkey

Contrary to some reports, 10 other players take to the pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo at the start of every Portugal game.

And when a centre-back, Pepe, and a substitute, Raul Meireles, score goals of the calibre of the ones which decided this game, it is hard not to fancy Luiz Felipe Scolari's team to go a long way in this competition, regardless of whether Ronaldo can improve on his fitfully impressive performance last night.Second-half goals from Pepe and substitute Raul Meireles ensured Portugal got their Euro 2008 campaign off to a winning start against Turkey at the Stade de Geneve.

Portugal's Kleper Pepe celebrates scoring his sides first goal of the game with teammates and the bench

The exchange of passes between Pepe and his captain, Nuno Gomes, just after the hour was worthy of settling any match and the breakaway goal in stoppage-time which began with a Ronaldo surge down the left was almost as good. It should have been more. Portugal hit the woodwork three times, on the first occasion through Ronaldo, against a distinctly unambitious Turkey team and, for all their control of the game, suggested there was plenty more in the locker, not least from Ronaldo.

The bouncing bomb of a free-kick which Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel tipped on to the post in the 38th minute was the Manchester United winger's first contribution of note, but his part in the final goal and occasional flashes of brilliance suggest he can live up to his billing.

But as the pre-ordained player of the tournament struggled in the early stages to find his feet, or to keep them, against some robust Turkish defending, it was Deco who was at the heart of Portugal's best moments. If Ronaldo is to leave the Premier League, then the mooted arrival of the little play-maker in England would go some way to softening the blow.

After Pepe thought he had given Portugal the lead, only for his 15th-minute header to be rightly ruled out for offside, Deco took control, spraying some sumptuous passes into the channels and darting into the tiny nooks and crannies of Turkey's high defensive line.

After Volkan had denied Ronaldo, Portugal continued to press for the opening goal but when Nuno Gomes hit the inside of the post and then Ronaldo beat Hamit Altintop only to hit a tame shot, Scolari must have been wondering if his team would ever score. But when they did it was worth waiting for.

Pepe charged forward in the 61st minute and played a peach of a one-two with Gomes. So perfect was the return pass that it took out at least three opponents and Pepe ran on to lift the ball past Volkan.

Moments later a header from Gomes hit the bar. In the dying seconds justice was done when Ronaldo cruised down the left and laid the ball inside to Jose Moutinho, who swivelled and rolled a pass into Meireles' stride for the coup de grace.