Russia v Portugal - MATCH REPORT
Portugal back on track with win
Euro 2004 hosts Portugal put their hopes of reaching the second phase back on track with a 2-0 win over Group A rivals Russia at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.
Goals from FC Porto midfielder Maniche and Rui Costa proved enough to bag the points.
|
| 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 |
|
| 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 |
But the Portuguese, 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.
Ovchinnikov appeared to handle the ball outside his area as Pauleta bore down on him and Norwegian referee Terje Hauge had no option other than to show the red card.
Stewards hauled away a Russian fan who appeared pitchside to protest at the sending-off as the Russians, having already lost to Spain, made an undignified exit from the tournament.
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.
|
| Portugal's forward Luís Figo (L) fights for the ball with Russian defender Vadim Evseev, 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. |
Figo should have made it 2-0 after 63 minutes when at the end of a flowing move he saw a low shot strike the base of the post with Malafeev just getting his fingertips to the ball.
Figo then appealed forlornly for a penalty after tripping over Alexei Bugaev before Malafeev, winning only his third cap, beat out a Deco piledriver.
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.