Portugal put on a scoring clinic in a 7-0 trouncing of North Korea Monday in their World Cup Group G game.

The Portugeuse scored six goals in the second half despite the rain at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, after leading just 1-0 at halftime. North Korea showed spunk offensively early in the first half but sputtered afterwards, and was eliminated from second-round contention.

The North's defense had won praise from Brazil coach Dunga as "nearly perfect" but was severely lacking against Portugual.

Raul Meireles opened the scoring in the 29th minute to give Portugal a 1-0 lead, but the second half was when Portugal turned on the afterburners. The Portugeuse scored three goals in seven minutes early in the second half, with Simao Sabrosa connecting in the 53rd minute, Hugo Almeida in the 56th, and Tiago in the 60th.

Aware of the importance of goal difference, Portugal continued to press for more goals to raise its chances of making the knockout round. Liedson started another scoring barrage late in the game by putting in his team's fifth in the 81st minute, then superstar Cristiano Ronaldo easily tapped the ball in the 87th minute for his first international goal in two years.

Tiago finished the scoring with his second goal of the game in the 89th minute.

Portugal and Italy are the only two teams to face both Koreas in the World Cup. North Korea in the 1966 World Cup led Portugal 3-0 in the quarterfinals, but eventually lost 5-3.

The North will close out its World Cup campaign against Ivory Coast Friday.