March 26, 2008 5:41 PM

SOURCE:
goal.com

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Greece Turn Back The Clock To Beat Portugal

Greece 2-1 Portugal

From both sides, players and coaches insisted that this game would have nothing to do with the history of Euro 2004. However, the run of the game in Düsseldorf proved them all wrong as, just like in Dragao in the opening game of the 2004 finals, Greece opened the scoring in the first and doubled their advantage in the second, with the Portuguese only earning some late consolation...

Both of Greece’s goals were scored via free-kicks - one in each half- from Giorgos Karagounis, who incidentally was the scorer of the opener back in 2004. Nuno Gomes pulled one back for Scolari’s men late on, but that was not enough for them as Otto Rehhagel’s boys held on firmly until the final whistle

The first- half was mostly a midfield affair that saw the Portuguese controlling the pace of play, but without much success, for it was the Greeks that had the chances and managed to open the scoring.

In fact, that first strike could have come earlier. Angelos Charisteas could have broken the deadlock first but twice in the opening stages of the match failed to beat the Portuguese custodian. His header after five minutes of game was too weak for the advancing Ricardo, who in turn managed the same two minutes later when he ran to the edge of his area to prevent Charisteas from finding space to attempt a lob into his unguarded net.

The goal for the defending champions came after 32 minutes of play. Karagounis, the Panathinaikos midfielder, hit a well-balanced free-kick over Portugal’s wall and into the net of helpless Ricardo.

Nonetheless, the same pattern was repeated after the recess, with Portugal having possession but with Greece finding the back of the net.

On the hour-mark, Karagounis again struck home with a carbon copy of his first goal. Meanwhile the Portuguese managed only to pull one back through captain Nuno Gomes late on, when he slotted in from close range.

With the two coaches eager to experiment in new tactics, the game lost its pace. That favoured Greece, who were left to retain their advantage until the final whistle.