Figo inspires Portugal as Dutch sent packing

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after opening the score in their Euro 2004 semi-final clash vs Holland at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon

A virtuoso performance from Luis Figo inspired Portugal to a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands that booked the Euro 2004 hosts' place in the first major final in the country's history.

A first-half header from Cristiano Ronaldo and a stunning strike by midfielder Maniche just before the hour mark secured the victory.

But it was the Portugal skipper who deservedly picked up the man of the match award after brilliantly orchestrating Portugal's best performance so far in the tournament.

A freak own goal by centre-back Jorge Andrade ensured the home supporters had to endure a nerve-tingling finale.

But the Dutch, run to the point of exhaustion by Portugal's slick passing, never seriously threatened to delay the start of one of the biggest nights of celebrations in Lisbon's history.

Figo said he had never had a better night in football.

"It is difficult to explain the emotion I feel right now," said Figo, who had reacted in just the way coach Luiz Felipe Scolari wanted to his substitution during the England quarter-final.

"We have done a lot to get here to be in the final and to be at home and with our supporters it can't get better than that.

"We suffered a bit in the second half but we still had the best chances - I think Portugal have fantastic players, young players and the country has to be confident of the future in having a great team," added the Real Madrid star, who alone of his stellar clubmates can feel satisfied with his campaign.

He admitted that the squad had felt the weight of public expectation but said it was part and parcel of the profession.

Portuguese captain Luis Figo(L) is challenged by Dutch defender Michael Reiziger during their Euro 2004 semi-final in Lisbon

"I think there is a lot of pressure but if you want to play at this level you have to put up with that.

"Now we have to recuperate because we put a lot of work in tonight."

It was symptomatic of the hosts' superiority that their opening goal came mid-way through a first half in which, unshackled by nerves, they might easily have put the game out of their opponents' reach.

Deco provided the first declaration of attacking intent with a 6th minute chip towards the head of Pauleta that almost caught out van der Sar when it flew clean over the head of Portugal's lone striker.

But it was the forward thrusts of Cristiano Ronaldo and Figo which were doing most to unsettle the Dutch.

Twice in the period of sustained pressure which preceded the goal, Figo broke clear of their backline in exhilarating fashion and whipped in dangerous low crosses that, first Ronaldo and then Pauleta, were frustratingly close to meeting.

A goal for Figo would have been fitting but it was his heir-apparent Ronaldo who was to provide both the foundations and the finish.

Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooy lies on the pitch injured during the Euro 2004 semi-final clash between Holland and Portugal

Michael Reiziger did well to halt the Manchester United winger's advance into the Dutch box with a well-timed tackle. But he promptly blotted his copybook by failing to cut out the resulting corner from Deco. Unchallenged, Ronaldo was able to head past van der Sar from the edge of the six-yard box.

Phillip Cocu's hopeful long range effort had been the Netherlands' solitary attempt on goal up until that point but the flurry of activity that followed the goal almost produced an equaliser.

Good work on the left by Edgar Davids was followed by a cross that took a looping deflection straight into the path of Mark Overmars, unmarked eight yards from goal at the back post.

The Barcelona winger may have had time to bring the ball down. Instead he opted for a volley which flew high into the sea of orange created by the Dutch supporters concentrated behind the goal.

Only Costinha's intervention prevented Clarence Seedorf meeting another dangerous Davids cross at the near post three minutes later.

Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids(R) vies with Portuguese forward Pedro Miguel Pauleta(L) during their Euro 2004 semi-final

But Portugal quickly re-established their dominance.

A neat one-two with Deco sent Maniche clear on the right of the Dutch box. The midfielder did his job with an early low cross to the near post but Pauleta failed to do his, pushing a mishit shot straight at van der Sar.

Ruud van Nistelrooy thought he had scored his fifth goal of the tournament in the 39th minute but his low drive from just inside the area was chalked off for offside.

Portugal responded through Figo, who sidestepped van Bronckhorst on the edge of the box and curled a left foot shot on to the post.

Another chance went begging ten minutes after the interval when Pauleta was sent racing clear of the Dutch back four only to thump his shot straight into the abdomen of van der Sar.

Three minutes later Portugal finally got the second goal their efforts deserved. After picking up a short corner from Ronaldo just outside the corner of the Dutch box, Maniche unleashed an angled left-foot drive that dipped over van der Sar and into the net off the far post.

Given what had gone before, the Portuguese fans could have been forgiven for thinking that was game over.

Portuguese midfielder Maniche heads the ball during the Euro 2004 semi-final match between Portugal and The Netherlands

But the Netherlands were presented with fresh hope six minutes later when Andrade, stretching to intercept van Bronckhorst's cross from the left sent it spinning over the head of his own goalkeeper for an own goal. It was a lifeline for the Dutch but ultimately one they were unable to grasp.