The host nation booked a place in the semi finals by beating England on penalties. England got off to a perfect start when after only 3 minutes Costinha who hadn't seen Owen behind him, headed a long ball by David James backwards towards his own goal. The England striker who had his back to goal, turned and flicked the ball past Ricardo for his first goal of the competition. Two minutes later Ronaldo had his shot blocked, and in the 8th minute James got his fingertips to a Maniche shot. Gomes flicked a low cross just past the post in the10th minute. Beckhamīs 12th minute free kick fell to Rooney, who was blocked by the Portuguese keeper. Despite being off-balanced, Owen managed to lift the ball over Ricardo in the 18th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. Three minutes later Campbell rose high, but headed over the bar. James had to react quickly in the 25th minute when he failed to hold on to a deflected shot. Rooney limped off and was replaced by Vassell in the 27th minute of the match. Owen forced Racardo into a spectacular save on the half-hour mark. Portugal took over the match in the second half, and James had to get down to his right in the 74th minute to send a shot by Figo out for a corner. This was Figoīs last action of the match, as Postiga replaced him a minute later. With only 7 minutes left Postigo headed in a cross to save Portugal from elimination. In the last minute of normal time Campbellīs header hit the bar and he found the net with his follow-up header, but the goal was disallowed and the match went into extra time. England somehow cleared a header off the line in 109th minute, but a minute later Rui Costa drove the ball in off the crossbar. With only 5 minutes remaining Terry headed the ball down to Lampard who turned and beat the keeper to take the match into a penalty shoot-out. Beckham missed England's first penalty with a dreadful shot high over the bar, and as Rui Costa failed to keep his shot down, the match went into sudden death. After saving a penalty from Vassell, Ricardo beat James with a powerful low shot into the left corner. The party goes on for Portugal, as England's ineptness from the penalty spot has once again cost them dearly.
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