Portugal reached the round of 16 in the World Cup as Group D winners on Wednesday after snatching a 2-1 victory over Mexico who also advanced as second. Nuno Maniche broke the deadlock as early as the sixth minute and Simao Sabrosa doubled the lead in the 24th minute. Jose Fonseca nailed Mexico's consolation goal in the 29th minute. Portugal will play the losers from Argentina and Holland who will play later on Wednesday in Group C. Mexico will take on the winners. Portugal didn't have to wait much time before grabbing the lead as Sabrosa darted from the left and crossed on the floor for the darting Maniche who hammered the ball into the roof net. Sabrosa doubled the lead midway through the first period when he stepped up to deliver a penalty-kick home after Mexico captain Rafael Marquez handled the ball in the box. Jose Fonseca pulled one back after five minutes when he steered a fine header into the side netting after connecting with Omar Bravo's corner-kick. Mexico almost equalized in the 58th minute when Luis Perez was clipped inside the area but Bravo slammed the resulted penalty-kick over the bar. Things went worse for Mexico just two minutes later when Perez was handed his second yellow card of the game for diving and was sent-off. Tiago came close from scoring Portugal's third goal three minutes from time when sent a long-range shot past the stranded Mexico goalkeeper but his effort went just wide.
