PATRAS, Greece - In its first Olympic competition since its country was shattered by war, Iraq upset Portugal in men's soccer 4-2 on Thursday as about 2,000 chanting fans cheered and jumped wildly.
"This victory will be received with happiness by my people, who have suffered through much," said Iraqi coach Adnan Hamad, whose countrymen already were taking to the streets in Baghdad, lighting up the night sky with streaks of celebratory gunfire.
Iraq, 45th in the world in FIFA's last rankings in June, faces Costa Rica (26th) on Sunday then Morocco (33rd) on Wednesday. Two wins put it in the quarterfinals.
Iraq handed the first goal to Portugal, ranked 22nd and which reached the final of the European Championships in July. In the 13th minute, defender Haidar Jabar accidentally kicked the ball into his net as he tried to clear a pass by Cristiano Ronaldo. Three minutes later, however, striker Emad Mohammed tied it on a rebound.
Iraq went ahead 2-1 in the 29th minute when Hawar Mulla Mohammed dribbled past the goalkeeper. But Portugal tied it with a minute left in the first half on a goal by Bosingwa. Younis Mahmoud put Iraq ahead 3-2 in the 56th minute, and Salih Sadir scored during injury time to seal the victory.
"It's very important for us to have won this first game," Iraq's Abdul Wahab said. "We hope to give more satisfaction to our people who need happiness."
Iraq's fans, mostly students who traveled from various Greek cities, chanted and jumped in unison. Some waved Iraqi flags and signs in Arabic as unarmed police watched.
At the end, jubilant Iraqi players ran across the field holding their hands above their heads.
Portugal finished with 10 men after Boa Morte was ejected for rough play. As he left the field, he was showered with dozens of plastic bottles by Iraqi fans.
GHANA 2, ITALY 2: Alberto Gilardino scored with six minutes left to help heavily favored Italy salvage a tie in Volos. Italy trailed 2-0 after first-half goals by Emmanuel Pappoe and Stephen Appiah before Giampiero Pinzi scored three minutes into the second half.
PARAGUAY 4, JAPAN 3: Jose Cardozo scored two first-half goals and Pablo Gimenez had a goal and an assist for Paraguay in Thessaloniki. Shinji Ono tied it for Japan on a penalty kick after Gimenez scored in the fifth minute. But Cardozo deflected Edgar Barreto's free kick in the 25th minute then converted Gimenez's short cross in the 37th. Ono cut it to 3-2 on another penalty kick, but Aureliano Torres sealed it in the 62nd minute.
COSTA RICA 0, MOROCCO 0: Morocco earned the tie despite playing a man short after Jamal Alioui received a red card in the 59th minute.
