Spain outplay Portugal in 3-0 friendly win
Portugal suffered a humiliating setback in their preparations to host Euro 2004 by going down 3-0 at home to Spain on Saturday.
Portugal suffered a humiliating setback in their preparations to host Euro 2004 by going down 3-0 at home to Spain on Saturday.
Trainer Luiz Filipe Scolari admitted after the game that his Portuguese side had been outclassed by the visitors.
"We played badly, the Spanish team was much superior," said Scolari, who steered Brazil to a record fifth World Cup win in Japan last year.
"We didn't play well. There were several situations we could have finished off better, or that we could have defined better, but we didn't."
Portugal relied on striker Pauleta, who was nippy and well positioned but missed several good chances, the first early on when he had a clear shot at goal from the edge of the penalty area but hit the ball wide.
Spain were quick to counter-attack and began to find plenty of space up front, with Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo dropping a snap long range shot by striker Fernando Torres.
Spanish pace paid off in the 12th minute when midfielder Vicente calmly passed the ball back across the area to Raul.
The Real Madrid marksman fumbled the shot but Joseba Etxeberria was on hand to swing his left foot round and beat Ricardo to open the scoring.
Portugal's defensive weakness showed up again ten minutes before the break when Luis Figo gave away a free kick just outside the penalty area, which Ruben Baraja blasted against Ricardo's right post.
In the second half, Pauleta threatened from close range but struck right at Spanish keeper Iker Casillas, and again from the edge of the area, this time to hit the ball wide.
Portuguese substitute Jorge Andrade also forced a save from Casillas with a header from a corner taken by Figo.
Spain doubled their lead on the hour when substitute midfielder Joaquin tucked the ball inside the left post from the edge of the area after a swift counter-attack.
Another substitute, Diego Tristan, completed the rout 15 minutes from time with a well taken lob over Ricardo after an individual effort on the left.
The visitors were forced to play the last six minutes with ten men when Xabi Alonso was injured and trainer Inaki Saez had used up all of his substitutes.
Portugal did little to make their numerical advantage count, however, although Figo headed the ball just wide of the left post from a cross by Pauleta.
The Portuguese team were booed off the pitch at the end of the first half by some of the 21,176 crowd at the brand new Dom Afonso Henriques stadium, one of ten built or revamped to host Euro 2004.
"Big Phil" Scolari said he understood the home crowd's disappointment, but did not plan to tinker with his side, who will play Norway in Olso on Wednesday.
"We've had some good performances, but this wasn't one of them, it wasn't the result we expected. We're not going to have scorched earth because we lost," he said.