Even before the start of the tournament, the Spaniards, if they were not classified as favorites of the Euro, were at least seen as being in the next round, and moreover in the company of the Portuguese. But predictions are a thankless thing, so already after the completion of two rounds of the group stage they were refuted. The "culprits," of course, were the Greeks, who forced the hosts of the championship themselves to bewilderedly chase the quarterfinal train, and subsequently set the same task before Inyaki Saez's squad.

The Portugal national team, having previously played two mediocre, if not more, matches against the Greeks and Russians, from the very first minutes of the meeting with the Spaniards began to go, if not all-in, then at least to venture into a certain gamble. Understanding that in a match that had turned into a kind of playoff, conceding meant "perishing," Scolari's team nevertheless decided to try their luck in attack.

Both coaches adjusted their teams' starting lineups compared to the previous matches. For example, Inyaki Saez immediately threw Xabi Alonso and Joaquin into battle, additionally replacing Fernando Morientes with the young Fernando Torres, who had recently been wearing the jersey of the youth team. In response, the Portuguese coach Scolari entrusted a place in the starting lineup to the new talent of English "Manchester United," Cristiano Ronaldo.

At times it seemed that at the "Jose Alvalade" stadium the Spaniards no longer needed anything, or otherwise they were shocked by such pressure from the opponent. Mainly, the winners of Euro-64 were forced for a certain period of time to play only from defense and use counterattacks. They defended quite well, so Pauleta and Figo, who due to a lack of passes were forced to take the initiative upon themselves, could not seriously trouble the opponents' goalkeeper Casillas.

There was also plenty of roughness — already in the first 10 minutes the Swedish referee Anders Frisk handed out 2 yellow cards.

The most realistic opportunity to see a goal in the match came to the spectators when the minute hand of the clock began the first of five revolutions remaining until the break. It was Cristiano Ronaldo who tested Casillas's nervous system, but after his shot the ball flashed slightly over the crossbar.

After the 15-minute rest, Scolari made what turned out to be a key substitution: Pauleta gave up his place on the field to Nuno Gomes. The teams immediately exchanged dangerous moments: Maniche tried his luck from about 25 meters, while Fernando Torres's ambitions were thwarted by the back of his teammate Raul.

And then a cross was put on the Spaniards' hopes... Nuno Gomes, having received the ball near the opponent's penalty area, without unnecessary deliberation struck at goal from 18 meters. This time the goalkeeper of Madrid's "Real" was powerless...

The picture of the game immediately changed — the Portuguese preferred caution and defense, trying not to expose themselves during attacks, while the Spaniards, driven to despair, had no choice but to deploy all their potential on the field, multiplied by the desire to "laze" under the hot Portuguese sun for at least another week or two.

Despite such changes, Raul and his partners got a few more chances: first Figo himself shot, and subsequently the "Real" midfielder had the opportunity to take yet another corner. Maniche had a chance to capitalize on his cross, but the goalkeeper's save rescues the situation in favor of the Spaniards.

And already in the 76th minute of the match, Juanito lost the chance to equalize, the ball was stopped by the crossbar.

This shot became like a signal to the Spanish players for a decisive attack; the Portuguese could not transfer the game to the opponent's half of the field, constantly fighting off the persistent Iberian neighbors. Despite this, it all ended that way — Saez and his players leave Portugal, and the "rescued" hosts of the Euro are preparing for the next test.

Spain – Portugal – 0:1 Goal: Nuno Gomes, 57

Spain national team: Casillas, Albelda (Baraja, 66), Puyol – 6.5, Helguera, Raul, Fernando Torres, Vicente, Raul Bravo, Xabi Alonso, Joaquin (Luque, 72), Juanito (Morientes, 80)

Portugal national team: Ricardo, Jorge Andrade, Costinha, Figo (Petit, 78), Pauleta (Nuno Gomes, 46), Miguel, Nuno Valente, Ricardo Carvalho, Ronaldo (Fernando Couto, 85), Maniche, Deco

Referee: Frisk (Sweden) Lisbon. "Jose Alvalade". 47,491 spectators.