Portugal 1–1 England
Luís Figo was awarded the captain's armband to mark his 100th cap for Portugal, but he was not to crown his century with a goal. Instead, it was an own goal from second-half replacement Miguel that put England in front before Pauleta stole the show with a late free-kick equaliser for the home side.
Portugal started the match confidently and Figo came close to a dream start after Ashley Cole skewed an attempted clearing header, but David James saved well from his volley. Pauleta should have done better after springing the offside trap to find himself in acres of space, but the Portuguese striker was forced wide and his shot was closed.
England suffered an early blow when left-back Cole was taken off with a back injury, to be replaced by Wayne Bridge. Portugal looked dangerous every time they got the ball and Figo curled a free-kick centimetres wide after Gareth Southgate had brought down the lively Pauleta on the edge of the penalty area.
As England started to find their way into the game, Michael Owen got on the end of a Bridge cross and forced a save out of Ricardo. The striker was then put in on goal by a delightful Paul Scholes chip, but his mis-hit shot flew over the bar. Portugal's over fussy approach started to let them down as they continued to press forward, allowing England to settle.
England then stunned the home crowd by scoring the opener within two minutes of the restart as Ledley King sneaked in at the far post to meet a David Beckham free-kick, although the ball finally came off Portuguese defender Miguel, just on as a substitute. Portugal nearly equalised within minutes, but Wayne Rooney cleared Jorge Andrade's header off the line. James then made a mess of a routine catch and Southgate had to spare his goalkeeper's blushes by hacking the ball clear.
In a pulsating passage of play, Bridge came close to doubling England's advantage after finding himself through on goal, but he dragged his shot wide of the far post. Figo withdrew from the action midway through the second half, but Portugal did not miss their playmaker as Pauleta stepped into his shoes to fire a brilliant swerving free-kick into the top corner of the net to bring the home side level.
As the match drew to a close, Ricardo saved well from Joe Cole following good work by substitute Kieron Dyer before Portugal ended the game brightly by creating some half chances, but both teams had to settle for a draw.
Source: Uefa.com
