A MATCH for the ages, replete with colour, carnival and drama, brought Portugal a famous result that was cherished long into the night and onwards into history. After 23 barren years, a first victory against Spain, their nearest and least dear of rivals, lifted the hosts into the quarter-finals of the European Championship and sparked scenes of triumph in Lisbon that veered towards delirium.
As the final whistle shrilled, staff and substitutes enveloped Luiz Felipe Scolari on the touchline. If, as the head coach had predicted ominously, “this is war”, the competition will gladly accept more of it. Sadly, it will see rather less of Spain, who were energetic and lively in defeat but who take their leave by virtue of Greece’s superior goal difference.
Twice, Inaki Saez’s team found their way around the Portugal defence only to strike the woodwork rather than the back of the net. Their departure was painful, ensured by a goal from Nuno Gomes, the half-time substitute, but at least it was not a total humiliation. As the game built towards its finale, Costinha missed a glorious chance for Portugal, while Maniche had a shot hacked from the line by Raul Bravo. They could afford the generosity, Spain could not.
Iberian fratricide was a noisy, youthful business. Both coaches bowed to the tumultuous demands of their respective nations, choosing vibrant promise ahead of daunted experience for the defining moment of group A and almost the tournament itself. After two breathless appearances as a substitute, Scolari heeded the clamour and finally selected Ronaldo; Inaki Saez picked Fernando Torres.
The Estadio Jose Alvalade, crammed to its 52,000 capacity, roared its approval for the young tyros. Mind you, it would have roared at anything. Perhaps the eardrums were similarly shredded during the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, when a bakerwoman helped to beat off the Spanish army with a spoon — a reference to which had been plastered on a billboard adjacent to Portugal’s training ground, paid for by the local council.
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The marshal imagery led in one direction. A scant 90 seconds had elapsed when Luis Figo seethed into a challenge on Xabi Alonso and by the turn of the eighth minute, Pauleta and David Albelda had received yellow cards that would prevent them from participating in the next game. If there was one. Fear of elimination provoked such a frantic pace that the authorities must have been tempted to reclassify the fixture as a grand prix.
The 2-0 lead that Russia had quickly foraged against Greece might have assuaged those concerns (even if did not last), but no appeal for calm reached the pitch. Portugal summoned the verve that had been absent in their first tie and spasmodic in the second, tearing at their neighbours voraciously. Ronaldo drove the ball across the face of goal; Miguel galloped forward from right full back and brought a parried save from Iker Casillas.
Spain had little alternative other than to withstand the pummelling and wait for Portugal, who closed their fists around possession, either to punch themselves to a standstill or drop their guard. It happened rarely, although with much glinting promise on the verge of half-time when Juanito, the centre half, rose unmarked to head a corner from Xabi Alonso over the crossbar.
There was an immediate response, emanating from Portugal’s most creative duo. On the flanks, Figo and Ronaldo were an extraordinary, potent contrast; one deliberate, deceptive and decisive, the other scampering like a whippet in his silver boots. They combined in a flashing move that saw Ronaldo propel himself into the 18-yard-box and meet the elder statesman’s cross with a flashing header.
The game was too vital to be gorgeous, but the raw, vibrant passion was both fascinating and deeply attractive. Goals were all the evening lacked and while Pauleta has scored 29 times in his 56 appearances for Portugal — an admirable ratio — the form of the Paris Saint German striker has dipped noticeably at Euro 2004. Scolari did not let the issue pass unnoticed, introducing Nuno Gomes in his stead.
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For the Benfica man, this was not friendly territory, yet his impact was heroic. A sharp interchange of passes with Figo brought the ball back under Gomes’ control and he span and shot with alacrity, beating Casillas narrowly inside the left post. The stadium erupted, supporters twirling scarves above their heads.
It was not the climax. Urging themselves on, Spain attacked, Raul spurning a headed opportunity and then striking the woodwork having worked his way on to a through-pass from Vicente. Instead of manning the barricades, Portugal deserted them. Figo’s 28-yard free-kick was tipped away; from his corner, Costinha’s shot was parried. At the other end, from a niggly angle, Juanito brushed the crossbar.
Spain (4-2-3-1): 23 I Casillas — 5 C Puyol, 22 Juanito (sub: 10 F Morientes, 80min), 6 I Helguera, 15 R Bravo — 16 X Alonso, 4 D Albelda (sub: 8 R Baraja, 66) — 19 Joaquin (sub: 11 A Luque, 72), 7 Raul, 14 Vicente — 9 F Torres. Substitutes not used: 1 S Canizares, 13 D Aranzubia, 2 J Capdevila, 12 Gabri, 17 J Etxeberria, 18 Cesar, 20 Xavi, 21 J C Valeron. Booked: Albelda. Juanito, Puyol.
Portugal (4-1-4-1): 1 Ricardo — 13 Miguel, 4 J Andrade, 16 R Carvalho, 14 N Valente — 6 Costinha — 7 L Figo (sub: 8 Petit, 78), 18 Maniche, 20 Deco, 17 C Ronaldo (sub: F Couto, 84) — 9 Pauleta (sub: 21 N Gomes, 46). Substitutes not used: 12 Quim, 22 J F Moreira, 2 P Ferreira, 3 R Jorge, 10 R Costa, 11 S Simao, 15 Beto, 19 Tiago, 23 H Postiga. Booked: Pauleta, Gomes.
Referee: A Frisk (Sweden). Attendance: 47,491