 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| 16th June - 19.45 - Group A Match | ||||
 |
 |
v |  |
 |
| 2 - 0 | ||||
| Portugal Team | Russia Team | |||
Alexandre Ricardo |
Sergei Ovchinnikov |
|||
| Portugal Subs | Russia Subs | |||
| Fernando Couto Jose Moreira Miguel Nuno Gomes Renato Paulo Ferreira Armando Petit Helder Postiga Joaquim Quim Cristiano Ronaldo Manuel Rui Costa Sousa Rui Jorge Cardoso Tiago |
Igor Akinfeev Alexander Aniukov Dmitri Boulykin Vladimir Bystrov Rolan Gusev Dmitri Kirichenko Viacheslav Malafeev Vladislav Radimov Igor Semshov Dmitri Sychev |
|||
| Match Report |
| At the wrong end of the Group A table, hosts Portugal and recreational experts Russia both needed a win to keep them within touching distance of a place in the quarter finals. A loss
for either side would eliminate them from the tournament. For home nation Portugal, with the expectations of a partisan crowd surrounding them, no less than three points would do.
Portugal started the more up-tempo of the two sides. This reaped instant rewards when, on eight minutes, midfield anchorman Maniche turned the ball into the goal to the delight of the Portugese in the Stadium Of Light. There was no doubting Portugal's superiority, but rarely did they turn their possesion and flicks into serious attacking play and chances. Russia, without target man Bulykin leading the line, looked toothless. The one exception was winger Karayake, who drifted around the midfield unleashing shots from long range and generally making a nuisance of himself. On the stroke of half-time, Pauleta was sent clear. Russian keeper Ovchinnikov raced outside the area to try to win the ball, but ended up making contact with his hand. The referee had no option but to send him off for deliberate handball with Pauleta certain to double the lead. Outfield player Evgueni Aldonin was sacrificed as reserve keeper Viacheslav Malafeev stepped in. His first call of duty was to face a free kick from off-form Figo. Thankfully for him, Figo didn't hit the target and they went into the break at 1-0. With Russia down to ten men, Portugal were expected to roll them over in the second half. However, this didn't quite turn out to be the case early on. Russia rallied, and forced a few shots to unsettle Ricardo in goal, and the thousands of home fans in attendence. Portugal responded with possibly the best move of the tournament so far. Deco moved the ball quickly to Nuno Gomes, who turned in the are and released Figo on the left. However, his shot was brilliantly tipped onto the post by Malafeev. Deco had a tough chance to convert the loose ball but he blazed it over the bar. Eventually Portugal doubled their lead at the end of the game. Substitues Ronaldo and Rui Costa linked up to devastating effect, with Manuel converting a cross from close range in the stadium of Benfica, the club he once played for. Not a totally convincing performance, but its points that matter. Russia become the first team to be eliminated from the tournament, and they play Greece in their final game with only pride at stake. Portugal, however, will hope they do them a favour by overcoming the Grecians. They need to get a win against Spain to qualify now - a tough order against one of the favourites. |
