Spain v Portugal - MATCH REPORT
Gomes puts Portugal in heaven
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.
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| Portugal's forward Nuno Gomes (2ndR) 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 |
The Benfica striker, 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.
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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 |
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.
Spain are edged out by Greece, who advanced on the strength of having scored more goals than the Spanish, despite going down 2-1 to Russia in Faro in their final match.
A first half played at an exhilarating tempo had been short on clear cut chances until the closing minutes, when both sides went agonisingly close to taking the lead.
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| Portugal's forward Luis Figo (foreground) runs past Spain's defender Carles Puyol, 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 Mladen ANTONOV |
Forced to gamble, Scolari withdrew Pauleta at the interval and replaced him with Gomes.
It was to prove a masterstroke. The Benfica striker had not been on the pitch for 12 minutes when he collected Figo's pass on the edge of the Spanish area, turned and struck a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
The Jose Alvalade stadium, home to Benfica's arch rivals Sporting Lisbon, erupted before settling down for a finale of nerve-shredding tension.
Three times Spain came within a whisker of equalising.
Torres struck the post from 12 yards out, Albert Luque had his chip headed off the line by Ricado Carvalho and Juanito's back post header struck the bar before slithering away to safety.
In the end Portugal held their nerve and held out for a memorable win which will have come as a major relief to the tournament organisers.