Portugal keep championship dreams alive
Wednesday, 16 June 2004Portugal resurrected their Euro 2004 hopes and ended those of 10-man Russia with a 2-0 victory on Wednesday, but will still need to beat neighbours Spain in their final group game to advance to the quarter-finals.
Goals from Maniche and substitute Rui Costa, the man blamed by many for Saturday's opening defeat by Greece, were enough to see off a poor Russian side.
With the nation willing them on, the Portuguese started at a gallop, Deco, Figo and Sabrosa Simao dragging the Russian defence all over the pitch as they interchanged in a bid to create the space they needed to break through.
In fact, it took them just seven minutes to fashion the opening which got them off to the perfect start, Maniche swivelling on Deco's ball into the box to bury a right-foot shot in Ovchinnikov's bottom left corner.
Russia, already deprived of the services of dissenter Aleksandr Mostovoi and suspended defender Roman Sharonov, saw their roll call depleted further in the final minute of the first-half when goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov was sent-off for handling outside his area.
Yartsev immediately sent on substitute Viacheslav Malafeev in place of midfielder Evgueni Aldonin, but his side's chances were receding with every passing moment.
Portugal returned knowing victory was within their grasp, and their intentions were clear from the off as they tore at the Russians in the search for a second goal.
Nuno Valente forced a good save from Malafeev with a long-range effort, and although Karyaka momentarily embarrassed Ricardo with a 53rd-minute cross from the left, it was largely one-way traffic.
Rui Costa sealed the victory with a minute remaining, converting Ronaldo's cross from close range to ensure Sunday's showdown assumes massive proportions.
Asked about playing Spain, Scolari said: "There isn't even time to imagine what's going to happen. Now, it's living this moment, talk a bit with the players review the tape, see where we made errors because Spain is a very worthy opponent."
Filed by Barry McEneaney
