Portugal found a new hero in their hour of need as their striker Pauleta ended Poland's World Cup with a superb hat-trick.

After their miserable defeat by the USA, Portugal needed a new star to shine out from the clouds that have shrouded their under-performing players. The Bordeaux striker answered the call.

With Luis Figo looking sharper, though nowhere near his best, and a much-improved defence marshalled by Fernando Couto, the Poles were rarely in the hunt.

In the 13th minute, 29-year-old Pauleta beat Polish keeper Jerzy Dudek.

Frechaut had just come on to the field after receiving treatment for an injury when the ball fortuitously arrived at his feet.

Joao Pinto picked up possession infield and curled a cross to Pauleta who controlled the ball on his knee, rounded Tomasz Hajto and belted it past Dudek at the Liverpool keeper's near-post.

Poland's Olisadebe, Marek Kozminski and Jacek Krzynowek failed to break their scoring duck after an energetic start to the second half.

When they did get the ball in the net it was ruled out for a Kryszalowicz foul on Baia, though it was case of the goalkeeper being over-protected rather than the Pole using excessive force.

After 64 minutes Portugal, and more specifically Figo, finally came alive again.

Olisadebe lost possession in his opponents' half, Petit fed Beto who picked out Figo's run down the right and the world player of the year provided the telling cross for Pauleta to beat Dudek from close range.

Pauleta's hat-trick came with 15 minutes left. Rui Costa, only a substitute today, played a lovely cross-field ball, but there was still plenty for Pauleta to do - which he did, sending Tomasz Waldoch the wrong way and then firing past Dudek.

Rui Costa provided the grandstand finish though. Capucho burst through down the right and the AC Milan midfielder beat Pauleta to the cross to leave Dudek with no chance.