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England blows lead Portugal overcomes two-goal deficit to stun England
Posted: Monday June 12, 2000 06:45 PM
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) -- Inspired by the lethal Luis Figo and Rui Costa, Portugal hit back from conceding two goals in the first 18 minutes to score a thrilling 3-2 victory over England in the European Championship on Monday an charge to the top of Group A. David Beckham's right wing crosses set up a third minute header for Paul Scholes and an 18th minute half volley for Steve McManaman. But a 30-meter stunner from Figo after 22 minutes was followed by a brave diving header by Joao Pinto from Rui Costa's cross seven minutes before half time. Rui Costa also set up Portugal's third in the 59th minute with a defense-splitting pass to Nuno Gomes. With defending champion Germany held 1-1 by Romania, the Portuguese go to the top of the group and England is last. "This is one of Portugal's greatest victories," said former Portuguese great Eusebio. "It's difficult to beat England any time -- to beat them when they were 2-0 up was extremely difficult. The team showed great pride, great heart. I'm so happy."
Luis Figo, whose long range spectacular started the comeback, said it was no surprise. "We dominated the game and we showed we have the capacity to come back and turn game around," the Barcelona star said. Portuguese coach Humberto Coelho attributed the comeback win to the team's preparation. "This team was well prepared and was mentally very strong," he said. "And we well able to show that we had the heart to come back." The English were seeking to improve on their dreadful record at the European Championships. Their last victory on foreign soil at the tournament came in 1980 and they have never won their opening game at the competition. They now go into Saturday's long-anticipated clash with Germany at Charleroi, Belgium, desperate for a result to put them back into contention. England coach Kevin Keegan, who said his side had been guilty of "ball watching," said the early lead should never have been squandered. "We threw it away," he said. "You go 2-0 up and you've got to fancy your chances of going on to win the game. We live to fight another day but we'll have to win the other two games probably." But he saluted the Portuguese, calling Figo's first strike "a wonder goal." "They were a good side who showed plenty of resilience and were always going to make us work hard." England midfielder Paul Ince said it had initially appeared too easy. "We thought it was Christmas," the Middlesbrough midfielder said. "But we let them come back at us. "We know we can beat the Germans. We know we can beat the Romanians. We've got to do it the hard way, but we're not down." Keegan, urging his side to attack, put the right-footed McManaman on England's troublesome left flank -- and the Real Madrid star was told to venture forward in a bid to pin back Figo. Both sides were bristling with attacking intent, and England got off to a flying start after three minutes when Beckham curled in a trademark cross from almost on the right touchline and found Scholes arriving unmarked in he middle close to the penalty spot. Scholes climbed well to head powerfully home off the underside of the crossbar. Joao Pinto almost leveled when he met a rightwing cross from Rui Costa only for his downward header to bounce up and over the bar. Rui Costa was creating plenty of danger to England and produced a stunning 25-meter drive from a central position. But goalkeeper David Seaman was equal to it and dived full length to his left to palm the shot round the post. The save heralded a second England goal in the 18th minute when Beckham broke down the right and launched another cross which deliberately missed out Scholes in the center and found the totally unmarked McManaman who half-volleyed the ball into the net. The Portuguese showed no signs of giving in and hit back four minutes later when Figo powered a 30-meter shot that flew through the legs of defender Tony Adams with a slight deflection and passed the motionless Seaman. And they were level in the 37th minute when Rui Costa ended a long string of Portuguese passes by curling the ball in from the right. Pinto dived under pressure from Sol Campbell to turn a brave header past Seaman and inside the far post. It could have been 3-2 to Portugal a minute into the second half when Seaman missed an in-swinging corner from Figo but the ball struck Pinto on the knee and lobbd over the net. England sent on Dennis Wise for the limping McManaman in the 58th minute and was trailing a minute later when Rui Costa found Gomes with a crossfield pass and the Benfica forward beat both the advancing Seaman and the tackling Adams to the ball to force in into the net.
As England sought an equalizer, Scholes saw a goalbound shot blocked buy his own teammate, Alan Shearer, and then headed wide of the post from close range. Inside the 33,000-capacity Philips stadium, there was a carnival atmosphere, with both sets of fans singing and dancing. The vast swathes of English fans were clearly in the majority. But despite concerns that the game would be marred by violence, both sets of fans mingled peacefully before and immediately after the game. Lineups: Portugal - Vitor Baia; Abel Xavier, Jorge Costa, Fernando Couto; Luis Figo, Vidigal, Rui Costa (substitute Beto 84th), Paulo Bento, Dimas; Nuno Gomes (Capucho 90th), Joao Pinto (Sergio Conceicao, 75th). England - David Seaman; Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Tony Adams (Martin Keown 82nd), Phillip Neville; David Beckham, Paul Ince, Paul Scholes, Steve McManaman (Dennis Wise 58th); Alan Shearer, Michael Owen (Emile Heskey, 46th).
Referee - Anders Frisk, Sweden.
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