Portugal v Spain, 20 June 2004

Score1-0 to Portugal
RefereeAnders Frisk
CompetitionUEFA European Championship Finals Group A
VenueEstádio José Alvalade, Lisbon
Attendance47,491
Kick-off: 7:45pm local Assistant referees: Kenneth Petersson (Sweden) Peter Ekström (Sweden) Fourth official: Stuart Dougal (Scotland) Man of the Match: Deco (Portugal) A 57th-minute strike from substitute Nuno Gomes eased the worries of a nation as Portugal, the UEFA EURO 2004 hosts, advanced to the knockout stages at the expense of Iberian rivals Spain. The significance of the occasion where Portugal needed a win and Spain only a draw denied the fans a truly wonderful derby, but Nuno Gomes' goal finally ended a 23-year wait for the Portuguese to put one over their old adversaries. Portugal advance to the last eight as Group A winners, ahead of Greece and with Spain eliminated in third. The only goal came at a moment when Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was desperately trying to shuffle his attacking options as his side struggled to breach a stubborn Spain defence. With Nuno Gomes introduced for Pauleta at the interval, the switch paid instant dividends as Luís Figo found the substitute, who unleashed a right-footed shot from 18 metres that beat Iker Casillas low to his right. Scolari made only one change to the side that defeated Russia 2-0 as Cristiano Ronaldo's impressive performance after his introduction in that game was rewarded with his inclusion in the starting lineup, only his second start for the country. Simão dropped to the bench. Spain coach Iñaki Sáez was forced into two changes due to injury and suspension to Joseba Etxeberria and Carlos Marchena respectively. Juanito and Joaquín came into the team, with Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso also starting. With Deco marshalling the midfield and Figo and Ronaldo periodically changing flanks, Portugal had the upper hand in the early exchanges. However, some poor deliveries ensured Casillas' goal was rarely threatened in a tense opening 15 minutes where Pauleta and David Albelda were both cautioned; the former's booking ruling him out of the quarter-final. Spain offered little in attack until Vicente's left-wing centre eluded Raúl González inside the penalty area. Almost immediately, Ronaldo's low ball in at the other end forced Iván Helguera into a hurried clearance with Pauleta lurking menacingly. Deco then had a snap-shot from 12 metres blocked. Miguel ventured forward to force the first save of the game with Casillas diving to his left to palm away. Again Spain responded, but Ricardo was quickly off his line to deny Torres outside his penalty area. Spain came close once more after 34 minutes, but Raúl failed to control Vicente's cross and Nuno Valente and Ricardo combined to clear. On the stroke of half-time both sides spurned gilt-edged opportunities. First Torres nodded Xabi Alonso's corner over when unmarked in front of goal, then Ronaldo headed wide Figo's left-wing cross. Jorge Andrade had to make up ground to cut out Vicente's left-wing cross early in the second half as Raúl threatened, before Maniche tried his luck from range and missed the target. Nuno Gomes' goal caused more urgency in Spain's play, and Torres thumped the ball against the post when he latched on to Alonso's through ball as the hosts defended desperately. Ricardo Carvalho had to be alert to Vicente's lob as he cleared when Ricardo was stranded. From the resulting corner, Juanito headed against the crossbar with a looping effort before a drive from Vicente went wide. Torres then saw his header sail narrowly beyond the post. Yet it was Portugal who squandered the best opportunity of all when Costinha headed Nuno Valente's cross over with only Casillas to beat two minutes from time. Maniche had his shot cleared off the line by Raúl Bravo after he latched onto Nuno Gomes' wonderful through ball as the home side finished the game and their group on top.

1  Portugal

Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari

0  Spain

Manager: Iñaki Sáez

Goals:

Nuno Gomes 57 G

Goals:

Starting lineup:

Goalkeeper Ricardo
Defender Jorge Andrade
Defender Miguel
Defender Nuno Valente
Midfielder Costinha
Midfielder Deco
Midfielder Maniche
Forward Luís Figo (captain)
Forward Pauleta

Starting lineup:

Iker Casillas Goalkeeper
Juanito Defender
Puyol Defender
Raúl Bravo Defender
Albelda Midfielder
Helguera Midfielder
Joaquín Midfielder
Vicente Midfielder
Xabi Alonso Midfielder
Raúl Forward

Substitutions:

Nuno Gomes for Pauleta 46
Petit for Luís Figo 78
Fernando Couto for Cristiano Ronaldo 85

Substitutions:

Rubén Baraja for 66
Luque for 72
Morientes for 80

Cards:

Pauleta 7 Y
Nuno Gomes 65 Y

Cards:

Albelda 8 Y
Juanito 68 Y
Puyol 74 Y

On the bench:

Goalkeeper Jose Moreira
Goalkeeper Quim
Defender Beto
Defender Fernando Couto
Defender Paulo Ferreira
Defender Rui Jorge
Midfielder Petit
Midfielder Rui Costa
Midfielder Simão
Midfielder Tiago
Forward Nuno Gomes

On the bench:

Goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia
Goalkeeper Cañizares
Defender Capdevila
Defender César Martín
Midfielder Gabri
Midfielder Rubén Baraja
Midfielder Valerón
Midfielder Xavi
Forward Etxeberria
Forward Luque
Forward Morientes

1  Portugal

Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari

Goals:

Nuno Gomes 57 G

Starting lineup:

Goalkeeper Ricardo
Defender Jorge Andrade
Defender Miguel
Defender Nuno Valente
Midfielder Costinha
Midfielder Deco
Midfielder Maniche
Forward Luís Figo (captain)
Forward Pauleta

Substitutions:

Nuno Gomes for Pauleta 46
Petit for Luís Figo 78
Fernando Couto for Cristiano Ronaldo 85

Cards:

Pauleta 7 Y
Nuno Gomes 65 Y

On the bench:

Goalkeeper Jose Moreira
Goalkeeper Quim
Defender Beto
Defender Fernando Couto
Defender Paulo Ferreira
Defender Rui Jorge
Midfielder Petit
Midfielder Rui Costa
Midfielder Simão
Midfielder Tiago
Forward Nuno Gomes

0  Spain

Manager: Iñaki Sáez

Goals:

Starting lineup:

Iker Casillas Goalkeeper
Juanito Defender
Puyol Defender
Raúl Bravo Defender
Albelda Midfielder
Helguera Midfielder
Joaquín Midfielder
Vicente Midfielder
Xabi Alonso Midfielder
Raúl Forward

Substitutions:

Rubén Baraja for 66
Luque for 72
Morientes for 80

Cards:

Albelda 8 Y
Juanito 68 Y
Puyol 74 Y

On the bench:

Goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia
Goalkeeper Cañizares
Defender Capdevila
Defender César Martín
Midfielder Gabri
Midfielder Rubén Baraja
Midfielder Valerón
Midfielder Xavi
Forward Etxeberria
Forward Luque
Forward Morientes