Iran's player (C) heads for the ball during a second round match of 2006 FIFA Football World Cup Group D Portugal vs Iran in Frankfurt, Germany on June 17, 2006. -Xinhua

Portugal qualified for the World Cup knockout stage after they beat Iran 2-0 in their second Group D tie in Frankfurt yesterday.

Midfielder Deco scored the opener with a powerful drive. Cristiano Ronaldo sealed the win from the spot after Luis Figo was brought down in the box.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was elated to secure Portugal's place in the second round of the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

Scolari said: "This is a historic moment for Portugal.

"It's the first time in 40 years they have come so far. We're elated.

"We still want to beat Mexico to ensure first place in the group," the Brazilian coach added.

And Scolari added: "We played better than against Angola. We showed some of our skill."

Portugal last qualified for the second phase of a World Cup tournament in 1966, when Eusebio guided them to a third-place finish.

Portugal, who beat Angola 1-0 in their opening match on Sunday, squandered slew of chances in the first half, with striker Pauletathe main culprit.

Iran's defence shook in the second half. In the 63rd minute, Portugal finally seized their chance as Figo laid off the ball to Deco, who sent a curling right-footed shot straight into the corner of the net from 20 yards out.

Figo created another chance in the 78th minute when he was tripped by Yahya Golmohammadi on the edge of the box. French refree Eric Poulat pointed to the spot.

Ronaldo coolly stepped up for the penalty and drove it cleanly home to stretch Portugal's lead. Luiz Felipe Scolari punched the air in delight as Ronaldo sank to his knees.

Rasoul Khatibi had a great chance to level for Iran, just minutes after coming on to the field. With the Portugal defence indisarray, he received a long ball in the box but his shot glanced across the face of the goal.

Iran manager Branko Ivankovic conceded his team were beaten by a moment of genius from Deco.

"It was hard to make something happen on the field against a good Portugal team," said Croatian Ivankovic.

"Deco scored a quality goal. After that it was very hard for us to equalize."

The defeat means Iran cannot qualify for the last 16 after losing 3-1 to Mexico in their opening Group D game.

And striker Vahid Hashemian admitted Iran's disappointing performance was the responsibility of the players.

"Forty-five minutes are not enough, you have to run for 90 minutes," he said.

"We were the better team against Mexico but today we deserved to lose."

Despite the end of their qualification hopes, Ivankovic insisted Iran will take their final game against Angola seriously.

Iran will be trying to earn their second win in the finals following their defeat of the United States in 1998 and he said: "I want my players to treat it like life and death.

"We should not need motivating just because we are out."