Portugal 1 greece 2 The hosts' grand opening to the tournament in Porto went rather flat when supposed whipping-boys Greece pulled off a stunning victory. Georgios Karagounis opened the scoring early on after sloppy defensive play, before Angelos Basinas made it two from the penalty spot. Portugal improved when boss Luis Felipe Scolari brought Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco off the bench and Ronaldo's injury time headed consolation gave notice of what was to come later in the tournament. PORTUGAL 2 RUSSIA 0 MANICHE'S neat finish from Deco's pass gave Portugal the perfect start to a game they had to win. The hosts were still not at their best and were given a huge helping hand near half-time when Russia had goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov controversially sent off for handling outside the area. Scolari's side sealed the victory in the 89th minute, Rui Costa stabbing home Ronaldo's cross. PORTUGAL 1 SPAIN 0 WITH Spain just needing a draw to qualify, the onus was on Portugal to attack and Nuno Gomes' goal ended a 23-year wait for the Portuguese to put one over their rivals. Nuno Gomes, on for the ineffective Pauleta, turned well on the edge of the area to fire low past Iker Casillas to send the Lisbon crowd into raptures. Spain were disappointing throughout and rarely threatened an increasingly confident Portuguese defence. PORTUGAL 2 ENGLAND 2 Quarter-final, Portugal won 6-5 on penalties A PULSATING match which Portugal deserved to win despite trailing for much of the game after Michael Owen's third-minute opener. After dominating possession in a terrific atmosphere, sub Helder Postiga finally headed an 83rd-minute equaliser to send the game into extra time - but not before Sol Campbell had a goal controversially chalked off by referee Urs Meier. Rui Costa's fantastic drive looked to have won the game on 110 minutes before Frank Lampard sent the game to penalties five minutes later. Misses from David Beckham and Darius Vassell gave Portugal their chance and keeper Ricardo smashed the winner past David James. PORTUGAL 2 HOLLAND 1 PORTUGAL saw off the disappointing Dutch with some ease. The ever-more impressive Ronaldo grabbed his second goal of the tournament to set the hosts on their way before man-of-the-match Luis Figo almost doubled the lead with an effort against the post. A goal of the tournament contender - an angled thunderbolt from Maniche - extended their advantage but a Jorge Andrade own goal ensured a nervous finish. GREECE 2 PORTUGAL 1 GREECE took advantage of a nervous Portugal who froze on their big day for a sensational win. Karagounis hit a low drive past Ricardo after just seven minutes and Greece were never really threatened. Basinas showed great composure to tuck away a penalty after Ronaldo fouled Giourkas Seitaridis to set up qualification from Group A. Ronaldo's late goal was only a consolation. GREECE 1 SPAIN 1 GREECE backed up their stunning opening victory with a surprise draw against Spain. A clinical first-half strike from Fernando Morientes threatened to restore order to the group, but Angelos Charisteas' close-range finish left Greece in the driving seat for qualification. GREECE 1 RUSSIA 2 THE wheels threatened to come off the Greek campaign as Russia stormed into a two-goal lead. Greece were visibly nervous with qualification in their own hands and struggled as the Russians at last found their form. Dmitri Kirichenko grabbed the quickest goal ever in the finals before Dmitri Bulykin powered in a second. But Zisis Vryzas' excellent finish two minutes before half-time saw Greece sneak through above Spain on goals scored. GREECE 1 FRANCE 0 UNDOUBTEDLY the shock of the championships, after defeat to Russia, Greece were not fancied against the reigning champions but resolute defending, impressive organisation and a brilliantly-worked goal headed home by Angelos Charisteas gave them the result they craved. Charisteas then declared: "Everything is possible." GREECE 1 CZECH REPUBLIC 0 DESPITE the result against the French, Greece were still massive underdogs against the Czechs, who held a 100 per cent tournament record. Greece showed signs of nerves early on as Tomas Rosicky struck the bar in the second minute, but they weathered the storm to prove a match for their opponents, aided by the early withdrawal of Czech maestro Pavel Nedved. They refused to wilt in extra-time and Traianos Dellas headed the silver goal from a corner in added time at the end of the first half, to give the Greeks an unexpected final place. | 
