It took Portugal until the 63rd minute to score at home against Azerbaijan. If that sounds bad, that's because it is bad, but A Selecção weren't quite as awful as that indicates. Before that first goal, they hit the post four times, with Cristiano Ronaldo striking it twice.
Portugal Vs. Azerbaijan, 2014 World Cup Qualifying: Final Score 3-0, But A Selecção Far From Terrific
Once they turned in that first goal, things calmed down for Paulo Bento's men and they turned in a couple more. Both Portugal and Russia will be heading into their massive qualifying match with perfect records after Portugal pulled off a 3-0 win on Tuesday.
Varela scored the opening goal, cleaning up a bit of a mess in front of the goal. Just seconds after he entered the match, the substitute finished a deflected cross from close range to put his team ahead. Helder Postiga expanded his team's lead in the 85th minute by poking home a Ronaldo cross, and Bruno Alves completed the comfortable win with a header off a corner kick in the 88th.
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