/world sport
PARIS, France -- Italy struggled to beat part-time minnows Portugal 31-5 at the Parc des Princes in Paris, registering a second win at the Rugby World Cup but failing to earn a vital bonus point.
Flanker Mauro Bergamasco bursts through the Portugal defense during Italy's 31-5 victory.
Pierre Berbizier's Azzurri will go into their final Pool C match against Scotland on September 29 least two points behind their second-placed opponents.
The Scots, who beat Portugal 56-10 in their opening match, face unbeaten New Zealand at Murrayfield on Sunday and must now be favorites to head off Italy in the race for a quarterfinal place.
The Italians scored two of their three tries in the final eight minutes as Portugal once again showed great spirit.
Italy took 23 minutes to add to their 16-5 half-time lead when David Bortolussi landed a penalty, then flanker Mauro Bergamasco was driven over the line from close range to score in the 72nd minute.
Winger Andrea Masi also went over under the posts after gathering a kick by Roland De Marigny four minutes later to score his second try of the night, but Portugal's tiring defense was not breached again.
Italy had made the perfect start when Masi crossed under the posts in just the third minute, but then saw skipper Marco Bortolami sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes for punching soon after.
Bortolussi kicked two more penalties to make it 13-0, but Portugal hit back in the 32nd minute as lock David Penalva crossed for a try in the corner on a well-worked overlap.
However, full-back Bortolussi landed another penalty goal on the stroke of half-time to put his side 11 points ahead at the break. E-mail to a friend 
| Most Viewed | Most Emailed |
From the Blogs: 
Sit tight, we're getting to the good stuff
