Hosts Hold Their Nerve

cctv.com 07-07-2004 17:53

Portugal eventually overcame England on penalties to advance to the last four of UEFA EURO 2004™ after an enthralling quarter-final at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, with misses from David Beckham and Darius Vassell proving decisive in the shoot-out and Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo nervelessly converting the winning spot-kick.

Pulsating encounter

Michael Owen's improvised finish put England ahead after just three minutes. But, after almost relentless pressure, Portugal finally levelled in the 83rd minute when Hélder Postiga headed in Simão Sabrosa's cross. Then it was the turn of Portugal's third substitute Rui Costa, who beat David James with a sumptuous strike from 25 metres in the 110th minute. England were briefly down but not out and Frank Lampard sent the match to penalties when he got on the end of John Terry's knockdown after 115 minutes.

Settled sides

Portugal brought in Nuno Gomes for the suspended Pauleta with England fielding the same team for the third successive match. Teenaged sensations Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo had early touches but it was a former prodigy who got England off to a perfect start after just three minutes with a wonderful piece of invention and improvisation.

Clever finish

Jorge Andrade failed to cut out Costinha's misjudged back header and Owen pounced on to the loose ball to pivot and flick beyond Ricardo for his 26th goal in 60 international appearances.

Portuguese pressure

Portugal could have been level within three minutes. Luís Figo played the ball in from the left to the far post and Ronaldo's initial shot was blocked by Ashley Cole before Cole and Sol Campbell threw their bodies in the way of the winger's second effort. That sparked a wave of Portugal attacks, with Maniche's fierce strike tipped over by David James.

Ricardo block

The Portuguese tempest briefly abated but the whirlwind start continued as Rooney latched on to Beckham's deflected shot but Ricardo was quickly off his line to block. England were still surrendering possession cheaply as Ronaldo set up Miguel, but the full-back shot over.

Momentum swings

But the tournament top scorers looked dangerous when they did get the chance to attack. Owen lifted a shot narrowly over shortly before Campbell headed over. The momentum continued to swing as Miguel's twice-deflected shot almost caught out James and then Nuno Gomes headed over from Valente's cross.

Rooney replaced

The tempo finally relented after 27 minutes but only to allow Darius Vassell to replace Rooney, who appeared to have sustained an ankle injury when he lost his boot moments earlier.

Portugal threaten

Portugal picked up where they had left off upon the restart, and in an effort to stem the continued pressure Sven-Göran Eriksson introduced Phil Neville for Paul Scholes but Portugal were almost level within moments as Deco's left-wing cross was headed back across goal by Costinha and Ronaldo outjumped Campbell only to head over.

Attacking alteration

That prompted Luiz Felipe Scolari to replace Costinha with winger Simão and the SL Benfica player fizzed a shot narrowly wide almost immediately. Portugal continued to attack but England, often with as many as eight players behind the ball, were defending valiantly.

Figo substituted

And just as England were daring to counterattack, Portugal almost levelled as Figo's rasping drive was deflected goalwards but James got down to turn the ball around the post. That was the Portuguese captain's final act as he was immediately replaced by Postiga and trudged off disconsolately.

Late equaliser

That was not quite the end for the 'golden generation' as Rui Costa came in for Miguel with 13 minutes remaining but it seemed time was running out. But with seven minutes left Simão seized on Lampard's wayward pass and crossed superbly for Postiga, who headed in unmarked. England almost claimed a sensational late winner but Campbell's header was ruled out after a foul on Ricardo by John Terry and that pulsating period of extra time beckoned.

Extra-time drama

The prevailing pattern continued as Portugal pressed but England's last-ditch defending was impressive with brave blocks denying Deco and Maniche before Rui Costa struck and Lampard levelled to force penalties.

Source: Official Website of Euro 2004

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