Live from Euro 2004
Host's back on track but how about Greece
|
| Portugal's midfielder Maniche (C) celebrates with his teammate forward Sabrosa Simao (L) as Russian midfielder Andrei Karyaka (R) reacts after scoring a goal against Russia, 16 June 2004 during their match at the European Nations football championships at the Da Luz Stadium in Lisbon. Portugal and Russia are competing in Group A with Spain and Greece. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS |
Euro 2004 hosts Portugal put their hopes of reaching the second phase back on track with a 2-0 win over Russia while Greece and Spain fought to a 1-1 draw to leave Group B on a knife edge.
Greece can reach the quarter-finals for the first time with a draw against Russia in their final match while Portugal and Spain play at the same time in a winner takes all battle.
In Lisbon, goals from FC Porto midfielder Maniche and Rui Costa proved enough to bag the points for Portugal.
|
| Russian goalkeeper Sergei Ovhinnikov (R) reacts after receiving a red card from the Norway's referee Terje Hauge, 16 June 2004 during their European Nations Championship football match at the Da Luz stadium in Lisbon. Portugal and Russia are competing in Group A with Spain and Greece. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS |
But the host side, stunned by Greece in their first pool match, made heavy weather of a Russian side reduced to ten men following the sending off seconds before the interval of goalkeeper Sergey Ovchinnikov.
After a deafening welcome - the Russians also received huge support from their own fans, including Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich - the Portuguese took the lead with only their second attack in the seventh minute.
A Figo freekick on the right was blocked but Deco pounced on the loose ball to feed Maniche, who fired home from 12 yards.
With 13 minutes left Figo withdrew from the action to massive cheers as Cristiano Ronaldo joined the fray.
And it was the Manchester United star who set up Rui Costa to put the icing on the cake with the clincher in the final minute.
Greece close in on last eight
|
| Greece's goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis (background) looks the ball kicked by Spain's striker Fernando Morientes (foreground) going in his goal, 16 June 2004 at Bessa stadium in Porto, during their Euro 2004 group A football match of the European Nations championships in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Francois Xavier MARIT |
Earlier on Wednesday, the silky skills of Spain were not enough to give them a second win in five days as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a determined Greece side.
Fernando Morientes opened the scoring with a cool finish in the 28th minute only for Angelos Charisteas to prod home an equaliser in the second-half.
|
| Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas (R) misses the equalizer kick of Greece's forward Angelos Charisteas (L) as Spain's defender Carles Puyol looks on, 16 June 2004 at Bessa stadium in Porto, during their Euro 2004 Group A football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Dimitar DILKOFF |
Greece came under the cosh in the opening exchanges with Valencia's Ruben Baraja orchestrating almost every move from the centre of midfield and Joseba Exteberria and Vicente making excellent use of the wings.
Spain's pressure eventually told as Spain captain Raul sliced his way into the penalty box before his deft backheel set up Morientes, whose wicked right-footed shot gave Antonios Nikopolidis no chance.
Spain continued to spurn chances and they paid for their profligacy in the 66th minute when a swift Greek counter-attack ended with Charisteas sliding the ball in off Casillas' leg.
The group will now go down the final round of matches on Sunday when the stakes will be raised for places in the last eight.