THE CLASICOS

Portugal coach Fernando Santos has termed Friday’s clash against Spain as The Clasico. Here’s a glance at the previous three clashes between the European neighbours:

Euro 2004 Portugal 1 Spain 0

Ronaldo is the only survivor from this game who will feature in Sochi. He was just 19 when the Iberian neighbours went head to head in a vital final group game at the European Championship in Portugal.

The winners knew they would go through to the last eight with Greece and a second-half Nuno Gomes goal gave the host nation the victory in Lisbon. Captained by Luis Figo, Portugal went on to lose the final to the Greeks, while the early exit was something of a nadir for the Spanish.

World Cup 2010 Spain 1 Portugal 0

Spain, by now the reigning European champions, got their revenge in this knockout clash at the World Cup in South Africa.

Portugal had reached the last 16 without conceding a goal but Spain eventually broke them down in the 63rd minute in Cape Town, David Villa scoring at the second attempt.

Euro 2012 Portugal 0 Spain 0 after extra time — Spain win 4-2 on penalties

It was half past midnight local time when Cesc Fabregas scored the spotkick that took Spain through to the final in which they destroyed Italy to win a third consecutive major title.