LIONS’ LISBON LOSS
Rewind to Euro 2004:
This was the game that had everything – but one that ended predictably with England exiting a major tournament via a penalty shoot-out.
Had Wayne Rooney not suffered a broken metatarsal midway through the first half, the general consensus was that England would have gone on to win the game.
Rooney, then 18 and playing in his first major tournament, had already scored four goals in three games to announce himself as arguably the most exciting young talent in world football.
The England forward, nicknamed the ‘Assassinfaced baby’ in a twist on the nickname used to describe Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, had terrorised defences in the group stage.
Rooney, whose displays at Euro 2004 would earn him a £27million move from Everton to United weeks later, continued that devastating form in the quarter-final against hosts Portugal in Lisbon.
So preoccupied were the Portugal defence with trying to nullify Rooney, they left fellow striker Michael Owen largely unmarked, allowing him to plunder the opener after just three minutes.
Rooney twice went close to doubling England’s lead, before injury brought a premature end to his tournament and, ultimately, England’s, as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side struggled without him.
England did well to hold their lead for as long as they did, Tottenham’s Helder Postiga heading past David James to make it 1-1 with seven minutes remaining.
Sol Campbell had a 90th-minute header ruled out for a foul on Portugal keeper Ricardo, and when Frank Lampard cancelled out Rui Costa’s goal in extra-time, it went to
penalties. Skipper David Beckham slipped and ballooned the first spot-kick over, but England were handed a lifeline when Rui Costa missed Portugal’s third. Darius Vassell was the fall guy, his penalty saved by a gloveless goalkeeper Ricardo, who then scored the winning penalty to send the hosts through 6-5 at England’s expense. Three Lions boss Eriksson said: “It was a dramatic game – first 1-0, then they equalised, then 2-1 and we came back in extra-time, which was amazing. Unfortunately, we lost the
penalties, and this is very hard. The team’s spirit has been fantastic throughout the tournament and I have no complaints whatsoever about the boys. Losing this way, however, is very hard.”
England goalscorer Owen concurred and said: “It always seems to happen with penalty shoot-outs.
“These tournaments come round every two years and we can’t expect to win all the time. But going out on penalties when we scored four of the first five is a bitter blow. But they put theirs away and that’s that.”
It always seems to happen with penalty shoot-outs