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 Nuno Gomes scores number 3 past the useless Seaman | The dour surroundings of the Liege stadium brought us a desperately dull game only a short time ago. The clean, tidy streets of Eindhoven brought us a thriller of the highest standard. I have to admit though, when England were 2-0 up, I considered that perhaps Portugal weren't up to the task - but SEXEE football overcame and conquered! I don't know what happened to England; did they go to sleep after their second goal? It appears that they might have. Or are they really just not good enough to hang onto a 2 goal lead?? The Portuguese were breathtaking; sublime!! Figo; a master! Rui Costa; dominant. The forward players magnificently outclassed, outjumped, outmanouered, outthought, outwitted the bulky defenders who stood in their path. Yikes, I am almost Shakespearean in my talk, huh?!?!? (Adams reading Henry V before the game - pooey, WHY??) |  |
All five goals in this game were excellent, to be fair. Scholes- an excellent header; McManaman a flawless finish after some excellent lead-up play. Figo's screeeeeeaaaaaamer shocked the English for certain. Gomez's "first" goal was NOT offside. Gomez's true goal was a triumph of determination - never thought he'd get a shot in in time - and a triumph of precision - such a sweet touch over Seaman! Joao Pinto's goal was EXQUISITE!! Such a header from such a tiny body! Such a leap!!! Ah, I was spellbound by the whole thing!
Having said all that, I am confident still that both Portugal and England will progress from the group, but I think that both teams' defences will subsequently let them down. Portugal stand a better chance to progress further; given the excellence of their midfield and attack. England, on the other hand, stand little to no chance, as they are poor in just about every department. Just my thoughts!
(left) Beckham puts a finger up at the fans who abuse him after the game. Can't blame him for doing so, because the name-calling was very bad, apparently. I don't agree with the abuse - but really, Becks, where were you all game?
(right) Macca is stretchered off. He returned to the game, but was later substituted. Looks a doubt for Saturday. Do you see why this picture amuses me so much?!?!
Freak of the match: Abel Xavier!!! He has to be the whackiest sight of the tournament so far, eh?? I hope to see him in August, when Everton come here to play a pre-season friendly. Hope he keeps that colour!!!
Teams and things
PORTUGAL (4-2-3-1): 1 Vítor Baía (FC Porto) - 14 A Xavier (Everton), 5 Fernando Couto (Lazio), 2 J Costa (FC Porto), 13 Dimas (Standard Liège) - 17 Paulo Bento (Oviedo), 4 J Vidigal (Sporting Lisbon) - 7 Luis Figo (Barcelona), 10 Rui Costa (Fiorentina; sub: 16 Beto, Sporting CP, 85min), 8 João Pinto (unattached; sub: 11 S Conceição, Lazio, 76) - 21 Nuno Gomes (Benfica; sub: 19 Capucho, FC Porto, 90). Substitutes not used: 12 Pedro Espinha (Vitoria), 22 Quim (SC Braga), 3 Rui Jorge (Sporting CP), 6 Paulo Sousa (Internazionale), 9 Sa Pinto (Real Sociedad), 15 Costinha (AS Monaco), 20 Secretário (FC Porto). Booked: Vítor Baía.
ENGLAND (4-4-2): 1 D Seaman (Arsenal) - 2 G Neville (Manchester United), 5 T Adams (Arsenal; sub: 6 M Keown, Arsenal, 82), 4 S Campbell (Tottenham Hotspur), 3 P Neville (Manchester United) - 7 D Beckham (Manchester United), 14 P Ince (Middlesbrough), 8 P Scholes (Manchester United), 11 S McManaman (Real Madrid; sub 17 D Wise, Chelsea, 58) - 9 A Shearer (Newcastle United), 10 M Owen (Liverpool; sub: 19 E Heskey, Liverpool, 46). Substitutes not used: 13 N Martyn (Leeds United), 22 R Wright (Ipswich Town), 12 G Southgate (Aston Villa), 15 G Barry (Aston Villa), 16 S Gerrard (Liverpool), 18 N Barmby (Everton), 20 K Phillips (Sunderland), 21 R Fowler (Liverpool). Booked: Ince.
Referee: A Frisk (Sweden).
