Estádio José Alvalade Sunday, June 20th, 2004   European Championship Attendance: 47,491         Spain 0-1 Portugal
2003 /04

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Spain 0-1 Portugal Virtual Replay: 3D animation of Gomes'' winning goal Portugal''s match winner Nuno Gomes Match photos Group A table explained Nuno Gomes scored the goal that sent hosts Portugal through to the quarter-finals and Spain crashing out. Half-time substitute Gomes turned superbly to strike from 20 yards to give Portugal their first win over Spain since 1981. Spain rallied after Gomes scored, with Raul and Ivan Helguera going close to a saving equaliser. But defeat to their fierce rivals ended their tournament, with Greece going through having scored more goals. Portugal''s plight forced them to set the pace but the busiest man in the early exchanges was referee Anders Frisk, who showed yellow cards to Portugal''s Pauleta and Spain''s David Albelda. Neither side was able to relax into their football, although Deco showed some delightful, subtle touches as he tried to spark the hosts into life. We did a great job and let''s see what we can do in the quarter-finals Portugal''s Luis Figo More Portugal reaction But on 15 minutes, both sides created a chance within seconds of one another. First Vicente whipped in a vicious cross that Raul just failed to get to, and Portugal swept to the other end where Cristiano Ronaldo''s cross fell to Luis Figo whose shot was blocked by Helguera. Figo''s sublime skills then created space for Costinha to spring forward and test Iker Casillas with a thumping drive. Ronaldo was in mercurial mood and his footwork mesmerised Vicente before pulling the ball back for Figo whose shot was blocked. KEY MOMENTS 41 mins: Torres heads over the Portuguese bar 57 mins: Nuno Gomes puts Portugal ahead 62 mins: Raul spurns a good chance for Spain 78 mins: Helguera bounces a header on top of the bar All the action as it happened But Ronaldo neglected his defensive duties on 35 minutes, allowing Vicente to run on and deliver a cross which found Raul but his heavy first touch allowed Nuno Valente to get in a challenge. Portugal continued to work the flanks effectively but given their need for a win, it was strange they failed to get enough men into the Spanish penalty area, and for all their decorative approach play, they failed to seriously threaten the Spanish goal. At the other end, Fernando Torres rose highest to bullet a header over the bar from Vicente''s corner. On the stroke of half-time, Ronaldo bravely met Figo''s cross just before the stranded Casillas but his header went agonisingly wide. Portugal made an interval change with Nuno Gomes replacing Pauleta, and yet their approach remained strangely muted. The players are extremely low - Portugal had all the passion Spain coach Inaki Saez More Spain reaction Andrade''s foul on Torres gave Albelda a chance from 27 yards out, only for his shot to deflect wide off team-mate Raul. The hosts seemed content to wait for something to happen, but in the 57th minute they produced the moment of magic the nation was hoping for. Figo''s beautifully crafted flick found Nuno Gomes in space and he worked the ball on to his right foot to bury a 20-yard shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the Spanish goal. Realising they were heading out of the tournament, Spain responded strongly, with Raul heading over after Portugal keeper Ricardo missed Vicente''s cross. Torres then failed to hit the target when Xabi Alonso played him through with only Ricardo to beat. Spain have paid the price for Portugal''s woeful performance against Greece From Tarquin III Have your say on 606 Casillas twice kept their hopes alive, first going full-length to palm away Figo''s free-kick, and then parrying Costinha''s header from the resulting corner. Spain pushed again, with substitute Luque lobbing Ricardo only for Carvalho to head clear, and then Helguera bounced a header on top of the bar. But Portugal held on to kick off a massive party in the host nation, and leave Spain to ponder yet another premature exit from a major tournament. Spain: Casillas, Puyol, Juanito (Morientes 81), Helguera, Bravo, Joaquin (Luque 72), Alonso, Albelda (Baraja 66), Vicente, Raul, Torres. Subs Not Used: Canizares, Aranzubia, Capdevila, Gabri, Etxeberria, Cesar, Xavi, Valeron. Booked: Albelda, Juanito, Puyol. Portugal: Ricardo, Miguel, Andrade, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Costinha, Figo (Petit 78), Maniche, Deco, Ronaldo (Couto 85), Pauleta (Nuno Gomes 45). Subs Not Used: Quim, Moreira, Paulo Ferreira, Rui Jorge, Rui Costa, Simao, Beto, Tiago, Postiga. Booked: Pauleta, Nuno Gomes. Attendance: 47,491 Referee: Anders Frisk (Sweden). OFFICIAL STATS BY UEFA Category Spain Portugal Total shots 6 15 Shots on target 2 6 Possession 46% 54% Corners won 9 11 Fouls committed 23 24 Offsides 3 3 Bookings 3 2 Sent Off 0 0 TRIVIA Portugal have won their first competitive match against Spain in six meetings. Portugal have scored at least one goal in their last eight European Championship matches, equalling the all-time record which belongs to Germany (1988-1992) and France (2000-running). Spain fielded the fifth youngest line-up in a European Championship match. Yugoslavia is still record holder when in 1968 the average age of their starting 11 was 23 and a half years. Spain have never before begun a European Championship match with a younger starting line-up than the average age in this game of 24 years and 267 days.