A sublime Deco strike and Cristiano Ronaldo penalty gave Portugal a 2-0 win over Iran and a place in the second round of a World Cup finals for the first time since 1966.Luiz Felipe Scolari's side were well-shacked throughout by Iran, but they could do little to prevent what proved a superb game-winner Brazilian-born Deco.
Figo created space down the left before cutting inside and finding Deco who left keeper Ebrahim Mirzapour no chance of a save with a 30-yard thunderbolt in the top corner.
The game was safe late on when Luis Figo collapsed in the area from Yahya Golmohammadi's rash challenge allowing Ronaldo to emphatically finish from 12-yards out.
The win ensures Portugal have booked their place in the second round while Iran can no longer progress past the group stage after losing both games in Germany.
Iran set their stall out from the off and Portugal, who had been expected to coast home in Frankfurt, found it difficult to make an early breakthrough.
Deco had an early sight of goal within the opening minute, although his touch let him down while at the other end Javad Kazemian headed over from Mehdi Mahdavikia's free-kick.
Barcelona ace Deco was looking a threat for Portugal and only a fine right-handed save from Iran keeper Ebrahim Mirzapour ensured the shot went over the bar.
Iran were happy to sit back and hit Seleccao das Quinas on the break, although it was from set-pieces that looked their likeliest avenue for a goal.
Portugal had their hearts in their mouths when Andranik Teymourian struck the post from just inside the area, however he was correctly deemed offside.
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo was bringing his usual box of tricks to the contest and shortly after heading wide he stuck a left-footed drive that could only find the side netting.
Iran might have found themselves down a player for Hossein Kaebi's dangerous high boot that caught Figo, but surprisingly French referee Eric Poulat kept his cards in his pocket.
Portugal finished the half in the ascendancy and only a fortune deflection off Mirazpour's elbow from Miguel's fizzed shot kept the scoreboard operator motionless.
Deco produced a carbon-copy tackle of Kaebi's karate kick immediately after the re-start and strangely enough Poulat opted to book him for his lunge on Mohammad Nosrati.
Shortly after, Pauleta, who was Portugal top scorer in qualifying, should have done better when flicking Nuno Valente's cross over the bar.
Portugal were opting for long-range effort and it looked like it might not be their day when Figo's left-footed strike was comfortably saved by Mirzapour.
However, second later they made the breakthrough from distance with Deco's first-time right-footed drive soaring into the net for what is an early contender for goal of the tournament.
Iran could have been level minutes later but after substitute Rasoul Khatibi got in on goal he could only pull his left-footed shot wide of Ricardo's far post.
Iran were threatening an unlikely equaliser, however their hopes of salvaging a point and staying in the competition died late on.
Yet another purposeful Figo run was ended by Golmohammadi in the penalty area and Poulet had no option but to award the spot-kick.
Ronaldo ensured there would be no late drama when he smashed his right-footed effort into the top corner that two keepers would have struggled to keep out.
The Manchester United winger came close to bagging his second of the game late on, but his free-kick only found the side netting.
Nekounam almost pulled one back in injury time but despite Portugal switching off from a corner he headed wide of the far post.
Ronaldo did have the ball in the back of the net with the last kick of the ball, however his close-range effort from Paulata's pass was ruled out for offside.
