Portugal v England - MATCH REPORT
Heaven for Portugal, misery for England
England's dreams of glory at Euro 2004 ended in heartbreak on Thursday after more than two hours of gut-wrenching drama ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Portugal.
After finishing 90 minutes of regulation time and two 15-minute periods of extra-time tied at 2-2, the two sides were finally divided by the heroics of Portugal's goalkeeper Ricardo.
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| England midfielder Frank Lampard (C) celebrates with his teammate England defender Sol Campbell (R) after scoring, 24 June 2004 during their European Nations Championship quarter-final football match between Portugal and England at the Estadio da Luz stadium in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO Lluis GENE |
After saving England's seventh penalty from Darius Vassell, the Sporting Lisbon keeper stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball past David James to send Portugal into the semi-finals.
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| Portugese fans react as they watch TV in a street restaurant, 24 June 2004 during the Euro 2004 quarter-final match between Portugal and England in Lisbon. The Euro 2004 quarter-final between England and Portugal ended 2-2 after extra time and will be settled by a penalty shootout. |
England had begun the shoot-out in the worst possible fashion when captain David Beckham skied the first penalty over the bar and stared ruefully at the penalty spot. But they received a lifeline when Rui Costa missed Portugal's third in similar fashion.
Ashley Cole and Helder Postiga converted the first two sudden-death spot-kicks but Vassell's effort gave Portugal their chance and Ricardo seized it.
It was an agonising blow for England who could and should have won the match in regulation time.
Having led from the third minute thanks to the predatory instincts of Michael Owen, Sven-Goran Eriksson's side got to within seven minutes of victory before Postiga's headed equaliser set the stage for an extraordinary finale.
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| Portugal's midfielder Rui Costa celebrates after scoring during the prolongations, 24 June 2004 during their European Nations football championships quarterfinal match between Portugal and England at The Luz Stadium in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS |
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| England forward Michael Owen (L) scores the first England's goal despite of Portugal's goalkeeper Ricardo (R), 24 June 2004 during their European Nations Championship quarter-final football match between Portugal and England at the Estadio da Luz stadium in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO Hrvoje POLAN |
Portugal also thought they had the match won when Costa went round Phil Neville and hammered in a stunning strike from just inside the area five minutes into the second period of extra-time.
But with just five minutes left, Frank Lampard latched on to a John Terry knock-down from a Beckham corner to level the match and force penalties.
England lost again on penalties as they did to Germany twice at Euro 96 and Italia 90 as well as Argentina at the 1998 World Cup.