Portugal makes the grade without Ronaldo

Portugal makes the grade without Ronaldo

Published Nov. 19, 2009 3:09 p.m. ET

Portugal, it turns out, didn't need Cristiano Ronaldo to win its World Cup playoff games.

With the world's most expensive player sidelined by injury, credit for reaching a third consecutive World Cup went to gutsy performances by a Portugal team that included three Brazilian-born players.

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