Portuguese hark back to 1966 and all that

There was no Eusebio to lead the charge but Euro 2004 hosts Portugal harked back to 1966 in beating Brazil for the first time since that golden age in Saturday's friendly here.

The 2-1 success, achieved with goals from Bordeaux's Pedro Pauleta and Deco, a Brazilian who took Portuguese nationality this winter, came in the absence of playmaker Luis Figo and overjoyed new coach Luis Felipe Scolari, who eight months ago was lifting the World Cup with the Brazilians.

A Ronaldinho spotkick for Brazil was a rare chink of light for the visitors, who had Figo's Real Madrid clubmate Roberto Carlos sent off with ten minutes to go.

The 1966 success came in the World Cup in a group game at Liverpool were Eusebio scored twice in a 3-1 win.

Then, as now, the 'auriverde' wore the mantle of reigning world champions and have consistently had the footballing measure of the European power that colonised them.

That this latest success bore the hallmark of Scolari and Deco will be an irony not lost on either side, with Deco's conversion to the Portuguese flag only last month having sparked controversy - as well as a thinly-veiled threat from Figo to quit the squad.

Portugal's record against their transatlantic cousins now reads three wins for 11 losses and two draws - but more significantly the latest win should close the chapter of a dreadful World Cup where Scolari's new side were supposed to have more chance of lifting the trophy than his old charges.

Instead, while the Brazilians rolled past everybody to bely an awful qualifying campaign during which Scolari was often vilified, the much-vaunted Portuguese crashed out in the opening phase.

Scolari says Saturday's success will lift morale as next year's jamboree looms ever closer.

"This win is historic and gives us a lot of confidence," Scolari opined, happy to see that his side had used the occasion as a serious workout rather than a mere prestige friendly.

"It was as if we were playing a World Cup final - it wasn't a friendly," concurred Brazil's new man in charge Carlos Alberto Parreira, who believed the Portuguese had at times been over enthusiastic without being in his view reined in by Israeli referee Alon Yefet.

Deco's winning contribution was all the more significant as, while in terms of nationality he has switched causes from the Brazilian to the Portuguese, in terms of club loyalties he has travelled in the opposite direction.

After six years with Porto he now stars for Sao Paulo, ensuring he can keep a foot in both camps.

The villain of the piece for Brazil was Roberto Carlos, whose angry protestations following a Rivaldo foul from which Deco scored his freekick led to his dismissal.

Having manhandled the referee the Real wingback could find himself earning a suspension.

Portugal's immediate aim is to settle the internal quarreling which has seen both Figo, reputedly injured, and Rui Costa criticise the introduction of Deco, who came on for Sergio Conceicao.

Scolari insisted Deco deserved his place.

"He had to come on - he feels Portuguese and he's going to help us," Scolari insisted.

The newcomer's winning goal went at least some way to winning the argument for 'Big Phil'.