( CNN ) -- Portugal took a big step to escaping the World Cup 's so-called `` group of death '' by crushing North Korea 7-0 in a rematch of the two nations ' famous 1966 clash in South Africa on Monday . Forty-four years ago , the communist country 's team shocked the soccer world by taking a 3-0 lead after only 24 minutes of their quarterfinal in England , but the Europeans hit back to win 5-3 with four goals from star forward Eusebio . There was to be no repeat in rain-drenched Cape Town , as Portugal found form after the disappointing opening draw with the Ivory Coast and claimed second place in Group G ahead of Friday 's final round of matches . Carlos Queiroz 's team led just 1-0 at halftime thanks to a 29th-minute strike from Raul Meireles as the North Koreans again showed the fighting spirit that tested Brazil in their opening 2-1 defeat . But the floodgates opened in the second spell as Simao Sabrosa , Hugo Almeida and Tiago scored in the space of eight minutes , then substitute Liedson netted to clinch the biggest winning margin of the tournament so far . Captain Cristiano Ronaldo and then Tiago again compounded the Koreans ' misery , giving the Portuguese a massive goal-difference advantage over the Ivorians ahead of their eagerly-anticipated showdown with leaders Brazil . The Brazilians have already qualified for the second round , with six points from two victories , while the Portuguese have four points and the Ivory Coast one . `` We got seven goals but only three points . We need to be more ambitious and determined for the next phase , '' Queiroz told AFP . `` We were very determined to win this game but the game we played today will not help us overcome Brazil . We do n't want Brazil to score any goals because this will put our reputation , our prestige , into question . '' Portugal went close to opening the scoring in the seventh minute when defender Ricardo Carvalho hit the post with a powerful header from a corner . Meireles , who scored the winner in the second leg of Portugal 's qualifying playoff against Bosnia , broke the deadlock when he ran onto a fine threaded pass from midfielder Tiago and slotted coolly past Ri Myong-Guk . Eight minutes after halftime , winger Simao fired a shot through the goalkeeper 's legs after being set up by Meireles and Almeida . Striker Almeida , recalled after missing the first match , then headed in Fabio Coentrao 's left-wing cross on 56 minutes before Ronaldo laid on the third goal for Tiago on the hour mark . Ronaldo , the world 's most expensive player , hit the crossbar in the 71st minute as he was denied his first goal of the tournament -- a similarly spectacular effort against the Ivory Coast also smashed into the woodwork . Liedson made it 5-0 after the besieged Korean defense failed to cut a cross by fellow substitute Duda 10 minutes later . Ronaldo finally found the net with two minutes to play , showing his trademark cheeky skill as he pushed the ball past the keeper and then juggled the rebound on his back before slotting into the empty goal . Tiago added his second just a minute later with a powerful header from a cross by another replacement , Miguel Veloso .
Portugal take a big step to escaping the World Cup 's so-called `` group of death '' Tiago nets a double as Europeans thrash North Korea 7-0 in rematch of 1966 clash . Brazil have won their last two games and are top of Group B with four points from three matches, while Germany sit second on one point after beating South Africa 2-0 at home. Group G. Ivory Coast need to defeat Koreans by a similar margin and hope Portugal lose to Brazil .