1 July 2006, by Tom Kundert

Ricardo heroics put Portugal into semis

Portugal 0-0 England (Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)

For the second time in two years Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo was the hero as Luiz Filipe Scolari’s team beat England in a nail-biting quarter-final.

After 120 minutes of intense football failed to yield a breakthrough, the Sporting keeper saved three spot-kicks in the penalty shoot-out to send an ecstatic nation into the semi-finals of the World Cup for only the second time in their history.

Portugal’s victory extends Scolari’s incredible run of victories in World Cup finals to twelve.

For all the plaudits generously handed out by the world’s media to Portugal’s exciting front line containing Figo, Ronaldo, Simao, Pauleta and Deco, it is a watertight defence that has played a huge part in the team’s success in Germany.

Watertight defence

The defensive quartet of Miguel, Nuno Valente, Ricardo Carvalho and Fernando Meria, backed up by the rock solid Ricardo, has conceded just one goal in 480 minutes of football in the tournament so far.

Nevertheless, a rare slip from Carvalho in the opening minute gave England striker Rooney an immediate shooting chance, but the Manchester United man hit his effort straight at Ricardo.

A cagey opening set the tone for a match of precious few chances. One of Portugal’s best came early on when Tiago almost got on the end of a loose ball in the box, but Robinson scrambled to smother the ball before the midfielder could stab home.

Lone strikers Pauleta and Rooney were both forlorn figures as defences continued to dominate until the break.

After 53 minutes of play at last there was a clear-cut chance, as a Gerrard corner found its way to Frank Lampard, completely unmarked ten yard from goal, but fortunately for Portugal the Chelsea midfielder hit his shot into the ground and over the bar.

Red card drama

The magnitude of what was at stake was impeding the flow of the game, but Portugal gained a hugely significant advantage just after the hour mark when Wayne Rooney stamped on Ricardo Carvalho and was shown the red card.

Although it seemed a harsh decision to begin with, TV replays clearly showed that Rooney’s studs seriously endangered Carvalho’s aspirations of fathering any children, rendering the decision entirely correct.

Portugal began to dominate possession, but were frustrated by solid defending. Robinson produced a sharp save to deny Figo in the 79th minute, and a superb saving tackle from Ferdinand against Valente thwarted the impressive left-back as he bore down on goal close to the end.

As extra time beckoned England came desperately close to snatching a dramatic winner, when another good Hargreaves run ended at John Terry’s feet in the box, and the central defender’s shot was deflected just over the crossbar.

Portugal cranked up the pressure in extra time, making the extra man count with Ronaldo and substitute Simao making increasingly dangerous incursions into the England box.

Postiga nets

At the start of the second period of extra time substitute Postiga met a perfect Ronaldo cross with a thumping header to plant the ball into the back of the net and send the small contingent of Portugal fans wild, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

England held on to take the match into penalties, where the magnificent Ricardo once again took centre stage to spark incredible celebrations throughout the length and breadth of Portugal.

PortuGoal man of the match:
Ricardo – England’s nemesis this time did not have to take off his gloves or take a penalty himself, as in Euro 2004. His epic contribution edges out Nuno Valente’s superb display as Portugal’s top man.

Portugal:
Ricardo, Miguel, Fernando Meira, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Tiago (Hugo Viana, 74), Petit, Maniche, Figo (Helder Postiga, 85), Pauleta (Simao, 62), Cristiano Ronaldo
Yellow Cards: Petit (43), Ricardo Carvalho (110)

England:
Robinson, Neville, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Beckham (Lennon, 51; Carragher, 118), Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves, Joe Cole (Couch, 65), Wayne Rooney
Yellow Cards: Terry (29), Hargreaves (106)
Red Card: Rooney (61)

Penalties:
Goal – Simao [1-0]
Missed – Lampard [1-0]
Missed – Viana [1-0]
Goal – Hargreaves [1-1]
Missed – Petit [1-1]
Missed – Gerrard [1-1]
Scored – Postiga [2-1]
Missed – Carragher [2-1]
Scored – Ronaldo [3-1]