Live from Euro 2004
Portugal in Euro heaven
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| Portugal's forward Nuno Gomes (hidden) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the opening goal for his team, 20 June 2004 at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, during the Euro 2004 group A football match between Spain and Portugal, at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Lluis GENE |
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| Portugal's forward Nuno Gomes (C) kicks the opening goal next to Spain's defender Juanito Gutierrez (L), 20 June 2004 at Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, during their Euro 2004 group A football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Javier SORIANO |
Nuno Gomes was the toast of all of Portugal on Sunday after scoring the goal that sent the Euro 2004 hosts into the quarter-finals at the expense of neighbours Spain.
The Portuguese ended top of Group A while Greece, beaten by already eliminated Russia 2-1 on the night ended second, pipping Spain on goals scored (both had four points, both had a zero goal difference so this third criteria was used to seperate them).
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| Spain's goalkeeper Santiago Canizares looks at the ball kicked by Portugal's forward Nuno Gomes (not pictured), 20 June 2004 at Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, during their Euro 2004 group A football match at the European Nations championships in Portugal. Gomes scored the opening goal of the match with this kick. AFP PHOTO JAVIER SORIANO |
Gomes, introduced at half-time as a substitute for Pauleta, struck the decisive blow in the 57th minute with a powerful low shot from 20 yards to give Luiz Felipe Scolari's side a priceless 1-0 victory.
It was a desperately frustrating night for Spain, who had gone into the match knowing a draw would be enough to put them into the quarter-finals and were twice denied an equaliser by the woodwork as they went down to their first ever defeat by the hosts in a competitive match.
Greek relief
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| Greece's players celebrate, 20 June 2004 during their European Nations Championship football match at Faro stadium. Russia and Greece are competing in Group A with Spain and host Portugal. Russia won 2-1, Greece qualifies for the quarter finals. |
Russia had not scored in the opening two games in Portugal but took just two minutes to open their account with the Greek backline half asleep.
Dmitri Kirichenko pounced on some hesistant defending outside the penalty area and rifled home the quickest goal in European championships history after 1 minute and six seconds.
Russia were running Olympic rings around Greece in the first 20 minutes and doubled their lead through Dmitri Bulykin's bullet header from a Rolan Gusev corner.
However, Greece pulled what was to be a crucial goal back through striker Vrizas Zisis two minutes before the break. A goal that gave them a better goals scored tally than Spain.