Portugal-England 2-2
Portugal advances in PK's
I am so glad I paid $25 to watch this game in pay per view cable, what a classic!!!!
The English again choke on PKs, how many times have we seen this movie before? Portugal again crushes the English aspirations in Euro championships.
What drama??
Owens finally scored in the second game by pouncing on a Portuguese defender's mistake. Then we pretty much had Portugal attacking relentlessly. The English played very well in the first half and defended brilliantly with Campbell again being the Rock back there. Then in the second half the game pretty much stayed in England's half with the Portuguese attacking non stop...you knew the goal was coming. At the same time no super chances were involved and the English were still defending well...but their midfield totally disappeared in the second half. Ball possession must have been at least 75-25 in Portugal's favor. I must add that England's star, the kid Rooney, had to leave the game around the 20th minute...so the English never really threatened until the last minute (more on that later).
Finally the Portuguse tie the game with about 10 minutes left when somehow one of their players was left umarked in the box and headed/shouldered a cross. Portugal could have won the game in regulation because they kept attacking. Their physical condition was far superior. Then finally in the last minute the English break away and in a mad scramble in the box head in a winner...but wait, the referee calls a foul committed on the goalie.
You would not believe the BBC announcers!!! I thought the ESPN ones were bad, these guys take the cake. They kept repeating how disgraceful the referee's decision was, it was disgraceful<g>. I would have called it the same way! In the box you don't mess with the goalie, especially when he goes to jump to get the ball and a players does not let him!!! I was wondering if these "experts" were watching the same game! That turned me off from that point on I wanted Portugal to win.
Anyway, we go on to OT. Portugal keeps attacking but the English decide to take some chances finally up front. Well, near the end of the first OT a Portuguese players scores probably the best goal of the tournament, a rocket shot that in reply still resembled a rocket shot! In the second OT, the English have no choice but to attack leaving the back vulnerable and are lucky not to let in another goal. Then somehow off a corner kick, headed into the box, scramble and England ties the game with about 6 minutes or so left!!
Unbelievable. PKs and then you knew that somehow the English find a way to lose. Beckham goes first, and he misses high, then everybody makes it until the fourth Portuguese player misses left. Then the fifth players both score and so do the sixth players. Then the seventh English player misses (GK block) and then right away the same GK scores in the next PK and pandemonium in Portugal and another crushing defeat for the English lads.
I feel for the English but they did not play well enough to win, Portugal earned it.
To note, both Portuguese substitute players scored! (one came in for Figo who left the game disgusted without talking to anyone, gotta love that team spirit).
You just hate the game to be decided in this cruel fashion again...but whatsarugonnnado?
Now tomorrow I am watching my fellow country men Greeks go against the French....while the Italians, Spaniards and Germans (could not even beat the B team the Czhechs put on the field!)get to watch this game from TV!!! Pinch me! |
