From correspondents in Geneva, Switzerland, 08:31 AM IST

A brilliantly worked second-half goal from defender Pepe and a goal in added time from Raul Meireles helped Portugal to a deserved 2-0 win over Turkey in their opening Group A match in Geneva Saturday.

Portugal, one of the Euro 2008 favourites, hit the woodwork twice through a Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick and a Nuno Gomes snapshot before Pepe stormed forward, playing a clever one-two with Nuno Gomes and then squeezing the ball past the advancing Volkan Demirel.

Meireles then made it 2-0 with a breakaway effort with virtually the last kick of the game.

The result sees Portugal sit top of Group A, level on three points with the Czech Republic, who earlier beat Switzerland 1-0 thanks to a goal from substitute Vaclav Sverkos.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)